End forming tool for forming a protrusion on a tube

Abstract

An end forming tool assembly, including a body including a through-hole extending in a first axial direction, a plunger slidingly engaged with the first hole, a clamp, a first arm pivotably connected to the body, the first arm operatively arranged to engage the clamp, and a die connected to the plunger, and wherein when the plunger is displaced in the first axial direction the first arm applies a force to the clamp.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An end forming tool assembly, comprising:
 a body including a through-hole extending in a first axial direction;   a plunger slidingly engaged with the through-hole;   a clamp;   a first arm pivotably connected to the body, the first arm operatively arranged to engage the clamp; and   a die connected to the plunger; and   wherein when the plunger is displaced in the first axial direction the first arm applies a force to the clamp.   
     
     
         2 . The end forming tool assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein as the plunger is displaced in the first axial direction, the first arm is displaced in a first radial direction. 
     
     
         3 . The end forming tool assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the clamp is fixedly secured to the first arm. 
     
     
         4 . The end forming tool assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the die is removably connected to the plunger. 
     
     
         5 . The end forming tool assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein:
 the plunger comprises a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a hole; and   the die comprises a protrusion operatively arranged to engage the hole to connect the die to the plunger.   
     
     
         6 . The end forming tool assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member operatively arranged to apply a radially inward force to the clamp. 
     
     
         7 . The end forming tool assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plunger comprises:
 a first end engaged with the die;   a second end; and   at least one leg extending from the second end and including a slot.   
     
     
         8 . The end forming tool assembly as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one leg comprises a first leg and a second leg spaced apart from the first leg along the second end. 
     
     
         9 . The end forming tool assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein:
 the body comprises a flange;   the first leg is arranged on a first side of the flange; and   the second leg is arranged on a second side of the flange.   
     
     
         10 . The end forming tool assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plunger further comprises a wedging member; and   when the plunger is displaced in the first axial direction the wedging member displaces the first arm in a first circumferential direction with respect to the body.   
     
     
         11 . The end forming tool assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing element arranged around the die and operatively arranged to engage the plunger. 
     
     
         12 . The end forming tool assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a second arm pivotably connected to the body and operatively arranged to engage the clamp, wherein the first arm engages a first side of the clamp and the second arm engages a second side of the clamp, opposite the first side of the clamp. 
     
     
         13 . A tool for end forming a tube, the tool comprising:
 a body including:
 a first end; 
 a second end; 
 a through-hole extending from the first end to the second end in a first axial direction; and 
 a flange extending in the first axial direction from the second end; 
   a plunger slidingly engaged with the through-hole;   a clamp including a first portion and a second portion;   a first arm pivotably connected to the body, the first arm including a first proximal end and a first distal end arranged to engage the first portion; and   a second arm pivotably connected to the body, the second arm including a second proximal end and a second distal end arranged to engage the second portion;   wherein when the plunger is displaced in the second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, the first arm and the second arm apply a radially inward force to the clamp.   
     
     
         14 . The tool as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a die connected to the plunger. 
     
     
         15 . The tool as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the plunger comprises:
 a third end engaged with the die;   a fourth end; and   at least one leg extending from the fourth end and including a slot.   
     
     
         16 . The tool as recited in  claim 15 , wherein:
 the third end comprises a hole;   the die comprises a protrusion; and   the protrusion engages the hole to connect the die to the plunger.   
     
     
         17 . The tool as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the at least one leg comprises a first leg and a second leg spaced apart from the first leg along the second end. 
     
     
         18 . The tool as recited in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first leg is arranged on a first side of the flange; and   the second leg is arranged on a second side of the flange.   
     
     
         19 . The tool as recited in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the plunger further comprises a wedging member; and   when the plunger is displaced in the first axial direction the wedging member displaces the first arm in a first circumferential direction with respect to the body and the second arm in a second circumferential direction with respect to the body.   
     
     
         20 . The tool as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a biasing member operatively arranged to bias the first portion and the second portion radially inward.