US 2013/0341831 A1 · PEX EXPANDING TOOL

Abstract

A tool to expand an end of a pipe includes a plurality of jaws movable between a closed and expanded position and rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and a shuttle movable along the axis between a disengaged position and engaged position wherein the shuttle and the jaws are engaged and rotatable about the axis between a first and second orientation. A spindle moves between a first position in which the shuttle is in the first orientation and is disengaged from the jaws, a second position in which the shuttle is in the first orientation and is engaged with the jaws, and a third position in which the shuttle and jaws are rotated to the second orientation while the jaws are closed. Movement of the spindle to a fourth position moves the jaws to the expanded position and maintains the engagement of the shuttle and the jaws in the second orientation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A tool operable to expand an end of a pipe, the tool comprising:

a plurality of jaws movable between a closed position and an expanded position and rotatable about a longitudinal axis;
a shuttle movable along the longitudinal axis between a disengaged position and engaged position wherein the shuttle and the plurality of jaws are engaged and rotatable about the longitudinal axis between a first orientation and a second orientation;
a spindle movable between a first position in which the shuttle is in the first orientation and is disengaged from the plurality of jaws, a second position in which the shuttle is in the first orientation and is engaged with the plurality of jaws, and a third position in which the shuttle and the plurality of jaws are rotated together to the second orientation while the plurality of jaws is in the closed position, wherein movement of the spindle to a fourth position moves the plurality of jaws to the expanded position and maintains the shuttle and the plurality of jaws in the second orientation and in the engaged position.

A tool operable to expand an end of a pipe, the tool comprising:

a plurality of jaws movable between a closed position and an expanded position and rotatable about a longitudinal axis;
a shuttle, selectively engageable with the plurality of jaws and rotatable about the longitudinal axis between a first orientation and a second orientation;
a pin positioned normal to the longitudinal axis and rotationally coupled to the shuttle for rotation about the longitudinal axis;
a housing including a recess positioned to receive the pin;
a spindle including an opening positioned to receive the pin, the opening and the recess arranged to guide the pin between a first arrangement in which the pin is in a first position within the opening, a first position within the recess and the shuttle and the plurality of jaws are disengaged, a second arrangement in which the pin is in the first position within the opening, a second position within the recess and the shuttle and the plurality of jaws are engaged in a non-rotated position, and a third arrangement in which the pin is in a second position within the opening, a third position within the recess and the shuttle and the plurality of jaws are engaged and in a rotated position.

2 more elements

A method of automatically rotating a plurality of jaws about a longitudinal axis to expand an end of a pipe, the method comprising:

coupling a pin to a shuttle, the pin extending along an axis normal to the longitudinal axis and rotatable in unison with the shuttle about the longitudinal axis;
positioning a portion of the pin within a recess that is fixed with respect to the shuttle;
positioning a portion of the pin within an opening formed as part of a spindle to movably couple the spindle to the shuttle;
biasing the shuttle and the spindle toward a first arrangement in which the shuttle is in a non-rotated position and is disconnected from the plurality of jaws, the plurality of jaws being in a retracted position;
moving the spindle along the longitudinal axis to a second arrangement in which the shuttle is in a non-rotated position and is coupled for rotation to the plurality of jaws, the plurality of jaws being in the retracted position;
moving the spindle further along the longitudinal axis to a third arrangement in which the shuttle is coupled for rotation to the plurality of jaws and both are in a rotated position, the plurality of jaws being in the retracted position;
moving the spindle further along the longitudinal axis to a fourth arrangement in which the shuttle is coupled for rotation to the plurality of jaws and both are in a rotated position and the plurality of jaws are in the expanded position;
and
returning to the first arrangement, wherein the shuttle returns to the non-rotated position and the plurality of jaws remain in the rotated position.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pex expanding tool

Life of this patent

Pex expanding tool

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20