US2534510A - Unitary flaring tool - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 19, 1950 cs. E. FRANCK 2,534,510

UNITARY FLARING TOOL Filed Aug. 10, 1948 fatenteci 15cc. 19, 1950 UNITARY FLARIN G TOOL George E. Franck, Riverside, Ill., assignor to The Imperial Brass Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application August 10, 1948, Serial N 0. 43,506

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a flaring tool, and more particularly to a unitary flaring tool having clamping means and a pressure member for flar ing the end of a tube.

Flaring tools as a rule are carried in a kit together with many other tools, and it is desirable that the tool be of unitary construction in the sense that all parts of the tool are joined together in such manner that they will not become separated as the user, who is usually an installation man or repair man, travels from place to place. Furthermore, it is desirable that the workman be able to reach into his kit and bring out the entire tool and not have to search in his kit for various parts of the complete tool.

It is, therefore, a general object of the invention to provide a new and improved unitary flaring tool in which the pressure member which comprises the flaring means is carried on the means for clamping the tube and may not be inadvertently separated therefrom.

If tubes having ends which are flared by means of flaring tools such as are described herein are to form a fluid-tight connection witha fitting or coupling and if the flares are to conform to the standards set up by the Society of Automotive Engineers, the flares given the tube must have certain dimensions which, of course, vary with the diameter of the tube being flared. To obtain a flare of proper dimensions, the tube must bear a certain relationship to the means in which it is clamped. Some users of a flaring tool through ignorance, and many more through carelessness, do not clamp the tube in the proper relationship to the clamping means and a flare of improper dimensions results.

While gauges have heretofore been provided for determining the proper relationship of the tube and clamping means, the use of the gauges has slowed down the flaring operation since such gauges are independent of the flaring means and it has been necessary to move the gauge into and out of operative position independently of and without reference to the positioning of the flaring meansthereby increasing the number of operations .in' flaring a tube.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a unitary flaring tool wherein a gauge for determining the position of the tube to be flared in the clamping means is movable with the pressure member.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a unitary flaring tool wherein a yoke which is slidable on the clamping means carries both the pressure member for forming the flare and a gauge for determining the position Of the tube to be flared in the clamping means, and wherein the tool is provided with stop means for limiting the sliding movement of the yoke on the clamping means and for preventing separation of the yoke from the clamping means.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my improved unitary flaring tool;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the flaring tool with the gauge shown properly positioning limited thereby to the specific disclosures made.

On the contrary, it is intended to cover allmodifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention defined in theappended claims.

As shown in the drawings for purposes of disclosure, the tool comprises generally a carrier ID of elongated form to permit in line arrangement of tube receiving bores or recesses; the actual tube clamping or gripping means which comprise a plurality of blocks lIb-llf; means designated generally at 12 for applying a longitudinal force, herein a thrust, for causing the blocks to perform their tube clamping function;

and means generally designated at ll for posi tioning and flaring the tube, including a slide member on which the flaring and positioning devices are carried.

In the embodiment illustrated the carrier or support l0 takes the form of a narrow, very elongated U having a pair of legs I3 and I4 which.

are held in spaced parallel relationship by a spacing block [5 forming the closed end of the U and to which the legs are alflxed by a pin I8. Inasmuch as the carrier In is subjected to a 1ongitudinal force during the clamping of a tube,

the strips composing the legs may be of relatively small cross sectional area and still provide the necessary strength to withstand any stress to which the carrier normally is subjected. The length of the carrier I0 is determined primarily by considerations of convenience in handling by the workman, the necessity normally to provide clamping means for a given number of sizes of tubes, and similar considerations.

The actual clamping of the tubes in the clamping means is effected not by the legs [3 and [4 but by'the blocks llb-l if and the spacer block IS. The fact that six blocks are shown is of course merely an arbitrary choice and the number of blocks might be increased or decreased if desired. Each block is generally rectangular in transverse section and is at each end formed with a channel for the reception therein of legsl3 and M. The blocks H are thus slidablelongitudinally of the carrier [0 and the width of the channel is preferably so dimensioned as to provide a sliding but close fit on the edge faces of" the legs I3 and Hi. The depth of the channel, however, is preferably made somewhat greater than necessary so as to provide a degree of play between the blocks H and the legs 13 and iii to permit longitudinal; shifting of the blocks and some degree of angular play or displacement of the-blocks so that the blocks are self-centering or self-aligning when atube-is clamped. Furthermore,such construction facilitates the manufactureof the apparatus since the tolerances are not so close as would otherwisebe required.

Not only are the blocks It all preferably of the same dimension transversely ofthe carrier,

but they are also preferably all of the same di mension longitudinally of the carrier which dimension will herein be termed the width of the blocks. As fully disclosed in my co-pending. application for Tube Clamping Means filed May 4, 1946, as Serial No. 667,386, issued April 25, 1950, as Patent No. 2,505,665, this uniformity in width is made possible despite the variation in size of the bores in which-various sized tubes. are clamped by the position and relative placement of the different" diameter bores in the blocks.

These cores" for receiving the various sized tools are composedof complementary generally semicylind'rical recesses [6 formed in abutting faces of adjacent blocks. While these recesses are referredtoas beinggenerally'semi cylindrical; they arefa'ctually preferably very slightly out of round with the'transverse diametric dimensions of the resulting bore a few thousandths of an inch larger than the longitudinal dimension. This prevents scoring of the tube'at the lines of junc' ture of the two complementary recesses.

With the'exception of the end blocks l5 and i if which; of course, each have only one recess it formed therein, each of the intermediate blocks at one end of each bore, so that it may be said that each bore has a countersunk portion and a generally cylindrical portion. As may be seen in Fig. 4 the countersunk portions [9 extend into the respective bores a depth which varies directly with the diameter of each bore. For example, the countersunk portion of the largest bore at the right hand end of the clamping toolas seen in Fig. 4 is of greater depth than the countersunk portion in any of the other bores, and this depth varies directly with the diameter of the respective bores, being shallowest in the smallest bore.

The clamping force generating means l2 for exerting a longitudinal force causing the blocks to grip a tube inserted therebetween in one of the bores" comprises a screw device pivotally mounted to be swung to an operating position longitudinally of the carrier 1%] as illustrated or tea position transversely of the carrier to permit separation of the blocks for the reception or withdrawal of a tube. The screw device is illustrated as comprising a T-shaped body member 363- having reduced portions at the ends of the cross bar of the T forming trunnions which are received in: apertures near the ends of the legsi3 and [4; The stem portion of the T-shaped body member is tubular and is internally threaded to receive a-bolt 3| having rigid therewith at its outer end a wing nut 32. The inner end of the bolt is preferably rounded as shown in Fig. 1,.

and the block [if engaged by the end of the bolt is recessed to receive the bolt and may have a detent therein for engagement by the end of the has? a recess formed in each side face in order that the number of blocks required may be a minimum for thenumbe'r of bores provided, this beingmade possible by an association of the recesses in inverse order to their relative sizes.

Thus the-second block from the right as seen in' Fig. 1 has formed in one face the largest recess (which is complementary with the recess in the end block H to form the largest bore), and in the other face the smallest recess; the third" blockhas formed therein the remaining smallest recess and one of the second largest recesses; the fourth block has the remaining second largest recess and one of the second smalle'st recesses. This arrangement is continued regardless of the number of blocks, and as seen in Figs. 1 and 4' the recesses in abutting faces of the blocks form, when in abutting relationship, a plurality of bores which are generally cylindrical in shape with the exception of a countersunk portion I9 bolt.

The means 11 include a yoke 35 formed with a channel for engaging the clampingmeans l'il'as shown in Fig. 3', the yoke being slidable longitudinally of the carrier and blocks. The upper body portion 35a has a threaded aperture there'- through for carrying a pressure member adapted to exert force axially of the bores for flaring the end of the tube. In the structure illustrated the pressure member comprises a stud 36 threaded into the aperture through the body portion 350.-

of theyoke, and carrying at its'lower'end a conical operating head 3'! for flaring the end of'the tube. The upper. end of the stud 3B is preferably formed of square cross section as shown at 38a. and'i's fitted with a handle 38.

While the tube clamping means i5 and the flaring means above described are each, when considered alone, generally old; an important feature of my invention resides in a novel arrangem'ent combining, the clamping means and the flaring means to provide a unitary flaring tool and to provide means for properly'positioning. a tube to be flared in the clamping means. In order to achieve these ends the'yoke 35 is so' mounted that it is directly in engagement with the clamping blocks and is slidable therealong longitudinally of the clamping means but it not subject to play or angular movement having any rotational component with respect to the clamping means, but maintains a predetermined relationship to the upper surface of the clamping blocks for a purpose to be hereafter described; A close sliding fit between theyoke 35 .and the clamping blocks is insured by making;v the channel only slightly larger than the horizontal transverse dimension of the blocks as shown in Fig. 3 and by providing. upper and lower'shoulders 35b and 350, respectively, which define the vertical dimension of said channel,

these shoulders being spaced so that they engage the upper and lower surfaces of the blocks and insure that there is no play-or angular movement having any rotational component between the yoke and the blocks, the yoke maintaining accurately a predetermined position relative to the plane of the upper surface of the blocks.

In order to prevent the yoke 35 from being inadvertently removed from the flaring tool I provide stop means for limiting the longitudinal movement of the yoke. This stop means comprises members projecting transversely from the carrier adjacent opposite ends thereof. In the apparatus illustrated a projecting membeniBa is shown near one end of the carrier while a projecting member M is shown adjacent the pivotal mounting of the longitudinal force exerting means [2. In the apparatus illustrated the member [8a comprises an extension of the pin [8 and the member 4| comprises an extension of the trunnion which mounts the member 30.

A flare gauge 59 is carried on the yoke 35 and extends across the top of the blocks ll, being spaced a short distance therefrom as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. This gauge is similar in function to the gauge disclosed in my co-pending application entitled Clamping Means for Flaring Tools or the Like, filed November 18, 1946 as Serial No. 710,706, issued April 25, 1950, as Patent No. 2,505,666, but in the improved tool disclosed herein the gauge is movable with the flaring means and is preferably integral with the yoke 35. The flare gauge acts as a stop for a tube inserted in one of the bores, the gauge being movable longitudinally of the carrier so that it is selectively positionable over any of the bores, and when positioned over a bore the gauge determines the extent to which a tube may be inserted in the clamping means in order to obtain a flare comforming to SAE standards. Since the yoke is mounted for sliding movement without play and since the gauge is integral with the yoke, the distance from the upper surface of the blocks H to the yoke is always the same and a tube tobe flared may be accurately and properly positioned before it is clamped in one of the bores. The distance from the cylindrical portions of the bores to the bottom surface of the gauge in order to obtain a proper flare varies, of course, with the size of the tube. This variance is taken into account by the various sizes of the countersunk portions I9, the distance from the flare gauge to the top of the cylindrical portion of the bores varying for each bore of difierent diameter.

In the operation of the device the wing nut 32 is turned to release the block and the entire apparatus [2 may if desired be pivoted on its trunnions to permit separation of the blocks II and a tube of the proper size is inserted in one of the bores, in the apparatus illustrated a tube 42 being inserted in the second smallest bore bdtween the blocks l lb and Ho. The yoke 35 is then moved longitudinally of the carrier until the flare gauge 39 is immediately over the end 42a of the tube and the tube is inserted until its end 42a strikes the flare gauge 39. With the apparatus in this position the means [2 are swung to the position shown in Fig. l and the wing nut 32 is turned to exert a force on the blocks and clamp the tube in the bore. The yoke 35 may then be slid longitudinally of the carrier until the conical operating head 31 is over the tube, and by turning the handle 38 the end of the tube may be flared. The operation which places the gauge in position also moves the pressure member to a position adjacent the tube to be flared, and the operation which places the pres-- sure member in operating position also moves the gauge out of the way. The gauge 39 in 00- operation with the particular depth of thecountersunk portion of the chosen bore insures slide off of the carrier since thestop members 40 and 4| limit the longitudinal movement of the yoke with respect to the carrier, and the unitary structure of the apparatus is thus re-- tained. It may be desirable in some instances to provide a structure in which the handle 38 is removable from the stud 36 so that the handle may be used as a wrench with other tools..

I claim:

1. In a tube \working tool, an elongated tube clamping means having a plurality of bores arranged in a line, each bore having a different diameter and each bore having a generally cylindrical portion and a conical counter-sunk portion extending from one face of said clamping means into the bore a depth directly proportional to the diameter of the bore, a slide member mounted on said clamping means, said member having a channel engaging the clamping means in a manner permitting sliding movement of said member along the clamping means in the line of the bores at all times, a clamping force generating means operating independently of said member to generate a force along the line of the bores for clamping a tube in a bore, a flaring device threadably mounted 0n said member for movement relative thereto axially of said bores. and a gauge on said member for indicating the .proper degree of insertion of a tube into each bore of the clamping means, said gauge comprising a plate rigidly fixed to said member and positioned out of the line of movement of the flaring device, said plate extending from said member along the line of the bores, at right angles to the axes of the bores and spaced a predetermined distance from said one face of said clamping means, and said force generating means being operable firmly to clamp a tube in a bore after it has been positioned by the gauge with said member being slidable along said clamping means to bring the flaring device axially in line with a firmly clamped tube.

2. In a tube working tool, an elongated tube clamping means having a plurality of bores arranged in a line, each bore having a different diameter and each bore having a generally cylindrical portion and a conical counter-sunk portion extending from one face of said clamping means into the bore a depth directly proportional to the diameter of the bore, a slide member mounted on said clamping means, said member having a channel engaging the clamping means in a manner permitting sliding movement of said member along the clamping means in the line of the bores, a flaring device threadably mounted on said member for movement relative thereto axially of said bores, a gauge on said member for indicating the proper degree of insertion of a tube into each bore of the clamping means, said gauge comprising a plate rigidly fixed to said member and positioned out of the line of movement of the flaring device, said plate extending from said member along the line of the bores, at right angles to the axes of the bores and spaced a predetermined distance from said one face of massm mid, clamping means, and axlamning force generating means. operating independently of. said. member to generate a force. flrm-lyto clampa tubev n. a. here; with said member being: sliclable along. Said clamping means to; bring the, flaming device 5 axially inline with a-firmly' clamped tube.

GEORGE; E. FRANCE.

REFERENCES The following references: are ofrecord in the; 10': fife ofthis patent:

UNITED-- STATES PATENTS- Number 136399 ass-nos- 1 ,7a4:,544- 1,950,154 2089,133 2,090,660 $120,029 2 ,132,947 2242x31 zgzw'mm 2;4%15' .520

Name Date Wflmot Mar. 4 1873 Fuller Dec. 18, 1906 Russell Dec 9; I930 Rosenberg Mar. 6, 1934 Parker Aug. 3", I937 A dt Aug. 24, 1937 Li'Heberg' June '7', I938 Gagne Oct, 11, 1938 McIntosh May 20, 194-1 Neukirch Mar. 24, 1942'- (Dbecny Feb. n, 194?;

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