Hammer-operated indentation tool

A method of progressing the assembly of a component set using an indentation tool having an installation axis and a radially oriented indentation axis intersecting the installation axis at an incline angle away from normal, comprising:

• with a component set, in a partially-assembled state, including an internally threaded component with a neck threaded together with an externally threaded component featuring an external notch, such that the neck of the internally threaded component has an indentation site at which the neck is subject to indentation into the external notch of the externally threaded component:
• employing a base belonging to the indentation tool, and extending along the installation axis, to coaxially install onto the component set, whereby the indentation site at the neck of the internally threaded component occupies a defined reserved space therefore spaced apart from the installation axis, and having the indentation axis passing through it;
• and
• employing an elongate punch belonging to the indentation tool, spaced apart from the installation axis, extending along the indentation axis, having an indentation tip, and supported by the base for reciprocating radial movement along the indentation axis between a radially outer home position, in which the punch vacates the reserved space for occupation by the indentation site at the neck of the internally threaded component, and a radially inner indentation position, in which the punch, leading with the indentation tip, reaches into the reserved space, to indent the neck of the internally threaded component, at the indentation site thereof, into the external notch of the externally threaded component, the employment of the punch including imparting a hammer blow to the punch, and thereby inducing the punch to forcibly radially move along the indentation axis from the home position to the indentation position.

An indentation tool, comprising:

• an installation axis and a radially oriented indentation axis intersecting the installation axis at an incline angle away from normal;
• an annularly-shaped base extending along the installation axis, the base having:
• two opposed ends, one of which is a leading end terminating in an axially-facing lip;
• a radially-facing internal wall between the opposed ends, the internal wall framing a receiving space opening from the leading end, the receiving space including, as a sub-space, a defined reserved space at the internal wall, spaced apart from the installation axis, through which the indentation axis passes;
• and
• a punch housing, the punch housing extending radially outward beyond the reserved space from the end opposite the leading end, defining an open-ended internal channel extending along the indentation axis and opening, at a radially inner end, to the internal wall in communication with the reserved space, and unobstructed at a radially outer end, and including a spring mounted to the internal channel;
• and
• an elongate punch housed by the punch housing, the punch having an indentation tip and a head opposite the indentation tip, and coaxially received inside the internal channel for reciprocating inclined radial movement along the indentation axis between a radially outer home position, in which the punch vacates the reserved space, and the head protrudes unobstructed from the radially outer end of the internal channel, and a radially inner indentation position, in which the punch, leading with the indentation tip, reaches into the reserved space;
• wherein
• under a hammer blow received at the head on behalf of the punch, the punch is induced to forcibly radially move along the indentation axis from the home position to the indentation position, and the spring is further mounted to the punch to thereafter automatically return the punch to along the indentation axis the home position.