Pipe threader

A pipe threader configured to rotate a die, the pipe threader comprising:

• a housing;
• a drive assembly including a motor and an output gear having a first plurality of teeth, the output gear receiving torque from the motor;
• and
• a die holder defining a rotational axis, the die holder including
• a gear member including
• an outer circumference with a second plurality of teeth engaged with the first plurality teeth of the output gear, such that the die holder is rotatable in response to receiving torque from the output gear,
• an inner circumference with a first key recess and a second key recess,
• a pair of first detent recesses, and
• a pair of second detent recesses,
• a lock ring rotatable relative to the gear member and including a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a pair of detent members,
• a first key arranged in the first key recess and a second key arranged in the second key recess,
• a first biasing member in the first key recess biasing the first key toward the rotational axis, and
• a second biasing member in the second key recess biasing the second key toward the rotational axis,
• wherein the lock ring is movable between a locked position, in which the detent members are respectively arranged in the first detent recesses, and the first and second contact surfaces respectively inhibit the first and second keys from moving away from the rotational axis, and an unlocked position, in which the detent members are respectively arranged in the second detent recesses, and the first and second keys are movable away from the rotational axis in response to insertion of the die into the die holder along the rotational axis.

A pipe threader configured to rotate a die, the pipe threader comprising:

• a housing;
• a drive assembly including a motor and an output gear having a first plurality of teeth, the output gear receiving torque from the motor;
• and
• a die holder defining a rotational axis, the die holder including
• a gear member including
• an outer circumference with a second plurality of teeth engaged with the first plurality teeth of the output gear, such that the die holder is rotatable in response to receiving torque from the output gear, and
• an inner circumference with a key recess,
• a lock ring rotatable relative to the gear member and including a contact surface,
• a key arranged in the key recess, the key including
• a body including a spring recess, and
• a key portion extending radially inward from the body, the key portion including
• two edges obliquely oriented with respect to the rotational axis,
• a flat nose between the two edges, and
• two opposite side faces for transferring torque from the die holder to the die through the key, and
• a compression spring in the key recess and received in the spring recess, such that the key is biased toward the rotational axis,
• wherein the lock ring is movable between a locked position, in which the contact surface of the lock ring inhibits the key from moving away from the rotational axis, and an unlocked position, in which the key is movable away from the rotational axis in response to insertion of the die into the die holder along the rotational axis, and
• wherein, when the lock ring is in the unlocked position and the die is inserted into the die holder along the rotational axis, the key is biased into a recess in the die, such that torque is transferable from the die holder through one of the side faces of the key portion to the die, causing the die to rotate with the die holder.