[0001] This invention relates to a crimping machine for assembling a hose and a fitting.
[0002] Numerous designs of crimping machines have been marketed in the past and described
in patents for assembling a length of hose with a metal fitting. The fitting is the
type including an internal member or nipple and an extemal member or socket, and an
end portion of the hose is positioned between the socket and the nipple. The crimping
machine is then operated to deform the socket radially inwardly and thereby grip the
hose between the socket and the nipple.
[0003] Generally, such a crimping machine includes a set of angularly spaced die segments
which are radially movable, and a drive or power unit which operates to force the
segments radially inwardly and thereby compress the socket. Usually such crimping
machines are relatively large and are operated in factories, but smaller machines
have also been available for use at job sites or other field locations.
[0004] The present invention deals with a simplified machine which is particularly suited
for use as a relatively small machine usable in the field. In such a machine it is
important that the power unit have a relatively short power stroke, that the die set
be easily accessible for mounting the hose and fitting in the machine, and that the
machine be easily adjustable to different crimp diameters and have short setup time.
[0005] It is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved machine which meets
the foregoing requirements.
[0006] A machine in accordance with this invention comprises a base plate and a die set
which is positioned on and supported by the base plate. A power unit is mounted above
the base plate and the die set, the unit including a movable ram and a ram extension
which is pivotably connected to the ram. A die bowl is positioned over the die set,
and the power unit is operable to drive the ram extension against the die bowl, this
action crimping a fitting positioned in the die set.
[0007] The ram extension is attached to the ram for pivotal movement on an axis that is
perpendicular to the ram movement, so that the extension is movable up and away from
the die set. The die set includes a die plate and die segments on the plate, and a
die bowl is positioned around the segments. The die bowl is separable from the die
set, and a spacer ring is attachable to the bowl to achieve different crimp diameters
for a given die set. The die segments are mounted on the die plate in an improved
manner.
[0008] The foregoing objects and advantages will become better understood from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawings,
wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a machine in accordance with the present
invention;
Fig. 2 is an elevational view partially in section of the machine;
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view illustrating the operation of the machine;
Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a side view of the machine;
Fig. 5 is an exploded view showing a die set of the machine;
Fig. 6 is a view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is an exploded view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is an exploded view of parts in accordance with an alternative form of the
invention; and
Fig. 9 is an assembled view of the parts shown in Fig. 8.
[0009] While the following description includes such relative terms as top, lower, front,
etc., it will be understood that these terms are used only to facilitate the description
of the parts during normal use, and should not be considered as limiting the machine
to any particular orientation.
[0010] A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and, with
particular reference to Figure 1, 2 and 4, comprises a top plate 10, a bottom or base
plate 11 and four tie rods 12 which hold the two plates 10 and 11 in fixed spaced-apart
relation with their planes substantailly parallel to each other. As shown, for example,
in Fig. 1, the two plates 10 and 11 are substantially square and one of the tie rods
12 is located adjacent each corner of the squares. The lower or base plate 11 is mounted
on a stand 13 which holds the plate 11 spaced upwardly above a suitable supporting
platform, not shown. The stand 13 is preferably constructed so that the upper part
of the machine is tilted rearwardly as shown in Fig. 1 to provide better access to
the machine parts from the front of the machine and to allow a length of hose to curve
downwardly and forwardly from the base plate as will be described.
[0011] The machine further comprises a power unit 14 which is mounted on the top plate 10
and extends between the two plates 10 and 11. The power unit 14 comprises a hydraulic
cylinder 17 secured to the underside of the top plate 10 and a ram or piston rod 18
(Fig. 2) that extends axially and into the lower end of the cylinder 17. Secured to
the lower end of the ram 18 is a crossbar 19. When the cylinder 17 is actuated, internal
pressure within the cylinder forces the ram 18 downwardly toward the base plate 11
along the axis of the machine, this axis being defined herein as being along the axis
of the ram 18 and its direction of movement and being perpendicular to the planes
of the two plates 10 and 11. The axis of the machine also extends substantially through
the centers of the two plates 10 and 11 and parallel to the tie rods.
[0012] To operate the power unit 17, a hydraulic pump 21 is connected by a hose 22 and a
coupling 23 to the cylinder 17. An electric motor 24 is connected to operate the pump
21 and a control handle 26 controls energization of the pump 21. The motor-driven
pump 21 may, as a specific example, be a 3,000 p.s.i. hydraulic power unit.
[0013] The power unit 14 further comprises a ram extension 31 including two laterally spaced-apart
legs 32 secured to opposite ends of a pivot shaft 33 (Figs. 2 and 4). The shaft 33
extends through a laterally extending cylindrical opening 34 formed in the crossbar
19, and the two legs 32 are secured to the opposite ends of the shaft 33 by pins 36.
The shaft 33 is rotatable within the opening 34 on a horizontal, laterally extending
axis, but may be held in either an extended position shown in full lines in Figs.
2 and 4 or in a retracted position shown by dash-dot lines in Fig. 4. To hold the
legs 32 in either of its two positions, a spring-loaded pin 38 is mounted in a hole
formed in the crossbar 19 and its inner end is adapted to extend into one of two detents
(not shown) formed in the shaft 33. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the outer end of the
pin 38 includes a head 39 which extends toward the front of the machine from the front
surface of the crossbar 19, and one of the two detents is located such that it is
engageable by the pin when the shaft 33 and the legs 32 are in the extended position
shown in Fig. 2 wherein the legs are parallel to the axis of the machine. The other
of the two detents is located such that it is engageable by the pin 38 when the legs
are pivoted rearwardly and upwardly to the retracted position shown in Fig. 4 wherein
the legs extend substantially perpendicular to the axis of the machine. The pin 38
is urged in the direction of the shaft 33 by its spring (not shown) and into the detents.
To pivot the legs rearwardly, the operator of the machine merely pulls the head 39
and the pin 38 toward the front of the machine and thereby moves the pin out of a
detent in the shaft 33.
[0014] As shown in the drawings, the two legs 32 are spaced laterally of the machine and
are adjacent the tie rods 12. Attached to the lower end of each leg 32 is a foot 41
which in the present example extends forwardly-rearwardly of the machine and is substantially
horizontal when the legs 32 are in the extended position.
[0015] With specific reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 5-7, the machine further comprises a die
bowl 45 and a die set 46, the die set including a die retainer plate 47 and a plurality
of die segments 48. As an optional element, the die bowl 45 may include a spacer ring
49 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.
[0016] With reference to Figs. 6 and 7, the retainer plate 47 is formed by two semi-circular
sections 51 and 52, each of the sections having a semi-circular opening 53 formed
at its center. An arcuate rib or ring 54 is formed on the upper surface of each section
of the plate and has holes 56 extending therethrough, the holes 56 being equally spaced
and extending radially. The holes 56 correspond in number to the number of the die
segments 48.
[0017] There are a total of eight die segments in the illustrated form of the invention,
and four segments are mounted on each section of the retainer plate. Each die segment
48 includes a flat bottom surface 58 which is positioned on the upper surface of a
section of the retainer plate, and an arcuate groove 59 is formed in the under-surface
58, the groove 59 being located over the ring 54. The lower portion of each segment
48 has a radially extending hole 61 formed therethrough which is aligned with one
of the holes 56 formed in the ring 54, and a radially extending hardened pin 62 is
positioned through each of the holes 56 and the companion holes 61. The holes are
sized relative to the pin 62 such that the segments 48 are movable in the radial direction
relative to the accompanying retainer plate section, and the radial width of the groove
59 is sufficiently greater than the radial thickness of the ring 54 that the segments
48 are radially movable on the plate section between a closed position shown in Figs.
3 and 4 and an open position shown in Figs. 2 and 6.
[0018] As shown in Fig. 6, each of the segments 48 is pie-shaped when viewed from above
and has a generally axially extending arcuate inner surface 66. The exterior or outer
surface 67 of each segment is, however, slanted or tapered axially downwardly and
radially outwardly to form a truncated cone as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.
[0019] With particular reference to Fig. 5, the die bowl 45 has a cylindrical outer surface
68 and a tapered interior cam surface 69, the two surfaces 68 and 69 being substantially
coaxial. The taper of the surface 69 is substantially equal to that of the outer surfaces
67 of the die segments 48 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Extending radially from the front
side of the bowl is a handle 71 for use by a machine operator in installing or removing
the die bowl.
[0020] At the lower outer edge of the die bowl is formed an annular groove 72 which is adapted
to receive the spacer ring 49 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The ring 49 is adapted to
be positioned in the groove and secured to the bowl by a wing screw 73 (Fig. 5) which
extends through a threaded radial hole formed in the ring 49 and is engageable with
the bowl 45 in order to secure the ring 49 to the bowl. The ring 49 has a greater
axial dimension than the axial length of the groove 72, and its function will be explained
subsequently.
[0021] Figs. 2 and 3 show a typical hose 81 and fitting 82 which may have a conventional
construction and are adapted to be assembled by the machine. The hose 81 includes,
for example, an inner tube, one or two layers of wire reinforcing braid around the
tube, and a cover around the exterior of the braid. The fitting 82 includes an inner
member or nipple which extends into the interior of an end portion of the inner tube,
and an outer sleeve or socket which is radially spaced outwardly from the nipple and
is positioned around the end portion of the hose. Prior to being mounted in the machine
for crimping, the socket is initially locked to the nipple at the point indicated
by the reference numeral 83 (Fig. 3) and the end portion of the hose is positioned
in the annular space between the nipple and the socket. It is the function of the
present machine to crimp or deform the socket radially inwardly in order to compress
the end portion of the hose between the nipple and the socket and thereby tightly
assemble the fitting with the hose. In the use of the present machine, the outer cover
of the hose is normally not removed from the end portion of the hose.
[0022] Prior to use of the machine to crimp a hose and fitting, the operator of the machine
first determines the size and type of hose and fitting, positions the hose end portion
within the fitting, and selects a die set for use with the particular size of hose
and fitting. Normally a machine of this nature is usable with a variety of hose sizes
and die sets are provided for the different hose sizes. A single die bowl 45 is used
with all of the die sets, and the segments of the various die sets have the same outer
surface 48 dimensions. The radial thicknesses of the segments of the various die sets
are different, however, thereby forming different crimp diameters for the die sets.
The spacer ring 49 is provided to enable two crimp diameters to be obtainable from
a single die set, and in the present specific example of the operation of the machine,
the spacer ring 49 is appropriate for the particular size and it is fastened to the
lower side of the die bowl. The operator pulls the lock pin 38 and pivots the ram
extension rearwardly and upwardly to the retracted position. The operator of the machine
places one of the two plate sections 51 and 52 on the base plate 11, the section having
the die segments thereon, of course. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a counterbore 86 is
formed in the upper surface of the base plate 11 on the machine axis, the counterbore
86 being sized to receive the two sections 51 and 52 of the die retainer plate. The
counterbore 86 serves to properly locate the die set on the axis of the base plate
and it retains the die set in the proper position. With one of the two retainer plate
sections positioned toward the back of the counterbore 86, the loosely assembled hose
and fitting are positioned within the interior of the jaw segments adjacent the surfaces
66. A hole 87 - (Figs. 2 and 3) is formed through the case plate 11 on substantially
the axis of the machine, and the hose extends through the hole 87 and downwardly therefrom.
The stand 13 is, of course, constructed to provide clearance for the hose, and the
tilt of the machine formed by the shape of the stand causes the lower end of the hose
to extend downwardly and forwardly so that it can be curved out of the way of the
operator. Thereafter the second or front section of the retainer plate and the die
segments mounted thereon are positioned in the counterbore 86 so that the major portion
of the socket of the fitting is enclosed as shown in Fig. 2. Only the upper portion
of the socket adjacent the lock 83 is clear of the die segments. After the die segments
and the hose and fitting have been installed, the die bowl 45 is positioned over the
top of the die segments, the fitting extending upwardly through the center opening
of the bowl as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The die segments are in the open position and,
as shown in Fig. 2, the cam surface 69 of the bowl is sized relative to the tapered
exterior surfaces of the die segments 48 such that the bowl surrounds only the uppermost
portions of the slanted surfaces of the segments.
[0023] The ram extension is then moved downwardly by first pulling the spring-loaded pin
38 forwardly, which enables the operator to move the legs 32 downwardly to their axially
extended positions shown in full lines in Fig. 4. In this position the feet 41 of
the ram extension are located directly above the flat upper surface of the bowl 45.
The operator of the machine then, while holding the hose and the fitting in the proper
position in the die set, turns the handle 26 to cause hydraulic pressure from the
pump 21 to be applied to the hydraulic cylinder 17 and thereby force the ram 18 and
the ram extension 31 axially downwardly toward the base plate 11 and the die bowl
45. The feet 41 engage the upper surface of the die bowl 45 and force the die bowl
axially downwardly, and the tapered surfaces of the die bowl and the die segments
cooperate to cam the die segments radially inwardly as shown in Fig. 3. This action
compresses the socket and deforms it permanently radially inwardly in oder to cause
the socket and the nipple to grip the hose 81. The downward movement of the ram extension
and the die bowl is continued until the lower surface of the spacer ring 49 engages
the base plate 11. When the spacer ring 49 bottoms out on the base plate, the operator
moves the control handle 26 to the return position causing the ram extension 31 to
retract upwardly. The compressive force on the socket then relaxes and causes the
die segments to shift slightly radially outwardly and pop the die bowl 45 upwardly.
The die bowl may then be removed after the ram extension is again pivoted to the retracted
position, and the crimped hose and fitting assembly is removed from the machine.
[0024] It should be understood that a suitable lubricant is normally applied to the surfaces
of the die bowl and the die segments to reduce wear and prevent the parts from binding.
[0025] It will be apparent from Figs. 2 and 3 that the extent of the radially inward movement
of the die segments 46 and the final crimp diameter is determined by the distance
that the die bowl 45 moves downwardly. To provide a two-step adjustment of this distance
for a single die set, the spacer ring 49 is provided which is attachable to the bottom
side of the bowl 45 as previously described. When the spacer ring 49 is attached as
illustrated and described, it prevents the bowl 45 from moving all the way downwardly
and engaging the upper surface of the base plate 11. With the spacer ring 49 removed,
the die bowl 45 may be moved by the power unit an additional distance downwardly until
it meets the base plate 11, thereby forming a smaller crimp diameter.
[0026] As mentioned above, the spacer ring 49 provides for a two-step adjustment of the
die bowl, one existing when the ring is attached to the bowl 45 and the other existing
when the ring is detached. Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate an arrangement wherein the spacer
ring permits additional degrees of adjustment.
[0027] This arrangement comprises a die bowl 101 having a cylindrical outer surface 102,
a handle 103 and an interior tapered cam surface 104, similar to the die bowl 45.
The outer periphery of the bowl at its lower end has a groove 106 formed on it, and
exterior threads 107 are formed on the grooved part.
[0028] Also provided are a lock ring 108 and a spacer ring 109, both having interior threads
111 which are engageable with the threads 107. The outer surfaces of the rings 108
and 109 are preferably knurled as indicated by the numeral 112. When in use, the two
rings 108 and 109 are threaded on the die bowl 101 with the block ring 108 above the
spacer ring 109 as shown in Fig. 9. The spacer ring may be threaded to a desired position
on the die bowl and then locked in the selected position by tightening the lock ring
aginst it.
[0029] Consequently the spacer ring 109 may have a large number of positions on the die
bowl. When the overall vertical length of the die bowl assembly (the die bowl plus
the spacer ring and the lock ring) is increased by screwing the spacer ring 109 downwardly,
the final crimp diameter is increased. Conversely, when the vertical length of the
assembly is decreased, the final crimp diameter is decreased.
[0030] In the specific example illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the vertical dimensions of
the two rings 108 and 109 are sized so that the lower edge of the spacer ring 109
is substantially flush with the lower edge of the die bowl when the two rings 108
and 109 are screwed upwardly to their uppermost positions (shown in dashed lines in
Fig. 9). Consequently the rings need not be removed but instead may be screwed all
the way up when the smallest crimp diameter is desired. This feature is advantageous
because the rings 108 and 109 may always be retained on the die bowl, thereby avoiding
the chance that the rings may be misplaced.
[0031] A crimp machine constructed and operated as described has numerous advantages. The
ram extension enables a type of hydraulic cylinder to be used which has a short stroke,
thereby reducing the size of the machine and its cost, as well as making the operation
faster. The extension is permanently attached to the ram (it is not a separate part
required to be handled), and it provides full access to the die set work area when
it is in the retracted position. The arrangement of the two spaced legs of the extension
provides clearance for bent tube type fittings which extend upwardly from the die
bowl.
[0032] The dies set is readily installed in the machine, and since it is in two independent
sections, it simplifies the positioning of the hose and fitting. The counterbore of
the base plate, of course, locates and retains the die set. An important feature is
that the die segments are stationary on the base plate (except for the radial movement
during crimping) and are not mounted for movement with the ram, because this feature
simplifies the mounting of the segments on the retainer plate.
[0033] A single die bowl is usable with all of the die sets, and the spacer ring, when used,
is carried by the bowl (and therefore is not a separate part to be handled).
[0034] The foregoing features combine to form a crimp machine which has a relatively small
size and cost, simplified construction and fast set-up time.
[0035] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the following claims and/or
in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof,
be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
1. A machine for assembling a hose and fitting by crimping, comprising a base plate,
a power unit connected to said base plate, said unit including a ram which is movable
on a ram axis toward and away from said base plate, a die set positionable on said
base plate during operation of the machine, a die bowl positionable on said die set,
said die bowl and said die set having cooperating cam surfaces thereon, and an extension
attached to said ram, said extension being pivotable relative to said ram on a pivot
axis which is perpendicular to said ram axis and said extension being pivotable between
an extended position where it is substantially parallel with said ram axis and a retracted
position where it is at an angle with said ram axis.
2. A machine as in Claim 1, and further comprising means engageable with said ram
and with said extension for selectively holding said extension in one of said extended
and retracted positions.
3. A machine as in Claim 1, wherein said extension comprises a pivot pin which is
fastened to said ram on said pivot axis, and spaced apart parallel legs attached to
opposite ends of said pin and extending perpendicular to said pivot axis.
4. A machine for assembling a hose and fitting by crimping, comprising a base plate,
a power unit connected to said base plate, said unit including ram means which is
movable on a ram axis toward and away from said base plate, a die set positioned on
said base plate during operation of the machine, a die bowl positioned on said die
set, said die bowl and said die set having cooperating cam surfaces thereon, said
die set including a retainer plate engageable with said base plate adjacent said ram
axis and a plurality of die segments on said retainer plate, said die bowl being positioned
over said segments and being engageable by said ram means.
5. A machine as in Claim 4, wherein said retainer plate and said die segments are
formed by two similar independent sections.
6. A machine as in Claim 4, wherein said retainer plate comprises a substantially
flat annular portion and a ring portion on one side thereof, each of said die segments
comprising a substantially flat side positioned against said one side of said annular
portion, said flat side having a groove therein which receives said ring portion,
and radially extending pin means extending through each of said die segments and said
ring portion and attaching said segment to said plate, said segments being radially
movable on said plate.
7. A machine as in Claim 4, wherein said base plate has a counterbore formed therein
and said retainer plate is positioned in said counterbore.
8. A machine for assembling a hose and fitting by crimping, comprising a base plate,
a power unit connected to said base plate, said unit including a ram means which is
movable on a ram axis toward and away from said base plate, a die set positioned on
said base plate during operation of the machine, a die bowl positioned on said die
set, said die bowl and said die set having cooperating cam surfaces thereon, said
die bowl being separate and removable from said ram means and from said die set.
9. A machine as in Claim 8, wherein said die bowl comprises an annular portion having
a tapered interior surface for engagement with said die segments, and a handle attached
to an outer side of said annular portion.
10. A machine as in Claim 8, and further including a spacer ring on said die bowl
and extending between said die bowl and said base plate.
11. A machine as in Claim 10, and further including means for removably attaching
said spacer ring to said die bowl.
12. A machine as in Claim 10, wherein said spacer ring is threaded on said die bowl.
13. A machine as in Claim 12, and further including a lock ring threaded on said die
bowl adjacent said spacer ring.