Crimping apparatus and methods of crimping with retainers

Abstract

Crimping apparatus are provided for use with a crimping machine. The crimping apparatus includes a support structure and a plurality of retainers movably attached to the support structure and radially arranged about an axis of the crimping apparatus. Each retainer includes an engagement structure configured to removably connect a crimping member to the retainer. The crimping apparatus is configured to be removably positioned with respect to a crimping machine while the retainers remain movably attached to the support structure. Methods of crimping with a crimping machine and a crimping apparatus are also provided.

1 . A crimping apparatus for use with a crimping machine, the crimping apparatus comprising: 
 a support structure; and    a plurality of retainers movably attached to the support structure and radially arranged about an axis of the crimping apparatus, each retainer including an engagement structure configured to removably connect a crimping member to the retainer, wherein the crimping apparatus is configured to be removably positioned with respect to a crimping machine while the retainers remain movably attached to the support structure.    
   
   
       2 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a connecting structure configured to permit mounting of the crimping apparatus to a crimping machine to substantially inhibit a relative movement between the crimping apparatus and a portion of a crimping machine along a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of the crimping apparatus.  
   
   
       3 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the connecting structure is further configured to permit dismounting of the crimping apparatus from a crimping machine by permitting a relative movement between the crimping apparatus and a portion of a crimping machine along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the crimping apparatus.  
   
   
       4 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the connecting structure permits tooless removable mounting between the crimping apparatus and a crimping machine.  
   
   
       5 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the crimping apparatus is configured to permit tooless removable mounting between the crimping apparatus and a crimping machine.  
   
   
       6 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement structure of each retainer comprises an aperture.  
   
   
       7 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the engagement structure of each retainer further comprises a latch.  
   
   
       8 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the latch comprises a pin with an end portion that is biased to extend into the aperture.  
   
   
       9 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of crimping members that are each configured to be removably connected to a corresponding one of the retainers by the engagement structure of the corresponding retainer.  
   
   
       10 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the engagement structure of each retainer comprises an aperture and the crimping members each include a protrusion configured to be inserted into the aperture of a corresponding one of the plurality of retainers.  
   
   
       11 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the engagement structure of each retainer further comprises a latch configured to removably engage the protrusion of the corresponding crimping member.  
   
   
       12 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a first portion and a second portion configured to move relative to one another to selectively define an alternative passage into an interior area of the crimping apparatus.  
   
   
       13 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising registration structure configured to facilitate a predetermined orientation between the first and second portions of the support structure.  
   
   
       14 . A crimping apparatus for use with a crimping machine, the crimping apparatus comprising: 
 a support structure;    a plurality of retainers movably attached to the support structure and radially arranged about an axis of the crimping apparatus, each retainer including an engagement structure;    a plurality of crimping members that are each configured to be removably connected to a corresponding one of the retainers by the engagement structure of the corresponding retainer; and    a connecting structure configured to substantially inhibit a relative movement between the crimping apparatus and a portion of a crimping machine along a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of the crimping apparatus, wherein the connecting structure is configured to permit removable mounting between the crimping apparatus and a crimping machine while the retainers remain movably attached to the support structure.    
   
   
       15 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the connecting structure is further configured to permit dismounting of the crimping apparatus from a crimping machine by permitting a relative movement between the crimping apparatus and a portion of a crimping machine along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the crimping apparatus.  
   
   
       16 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the connecting structure permits tooless removable mounting between the crimping apparatus and a crimping machine.  
   
   
       17 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the support structure includes a first portion and a second portion configured to move relative to one another to selectively define an alternative passage into an interior area of the crimping apparatus.  
   
   
       18 . The crimping apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a registration structure configured to facilitate a predetermined orientation between the first and second portions of the support structure.  
   
   
       19 . A method crimping with a crimping machine and a crimping apparatus comprising a support structure, a plurality of retainers with an engagement structure, a plurality of crimping members, and a connecting structure, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first element and a second element;    toolessly mounting the crimping apparatus to the crimping machine by engaging the connecting structure of the crimping apparatus with a corresponding structure of the crimping machine;    removably connecting each of the crimping members to a corresponding one of the plurality of retainers with the engagement structure of the corresponding retainer; and    moving each of the retainers with respect to the support structure with the crimping machine to crimp the second element to the first element with the crimping members.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of defining an alternative passage into an interior area of the crimping apparatus by moving a second portion of the support structure with respect to a first portion of the support structure.