Crimping apparatus

In a crimping apparatus with:

• a pair of first and second, axially spaced apart, coaxial annular rings that each have concave force reactive surfaces that face those of the other ring and where at least one ring is axially moveable toward and away from the other ring;
• actuating means for axially moving at least one ring;
• and
• and a plurality of circumjacently spaced and radially arranged crimping members positioned intermediate the rings and each having first and second convex force reactive surfaces that slidably engage with the concave force reactive surfaces of the first and second rings, respectively, the engaging force reactive surfaces defining means for radially moving the crimping members toward and away from the annular ring axis between an open position and a radially inward crimping position, the radial movement being in response to axial movement of at least one of the annular rings;
• the improvement which comprises:
• means for maintaining the crimping members in alignment while moving between the open position and the crimping position;
• the improvement which comprises:
• the alignment means which includes:
• a pair of first and second tines for slidably engaging each crimping member, each first tine being attached to and projecting outwardly from the transition area adjoining the steep and shallow surfaces of the first ring, each second tine being attached to and projecting outwardly from the transition area adjoining the steep and shallow surfaces of the second ring, the tines of each ring being equidistant from each other;
• and
• a groove extending lengthwise across the center of the first and second force reactive surfaces of each crimping member, each groove also being sized and configured to slidably engage its associated pair of first and second tines as the rings move axially and the crimping members move radially so that rotational movement of the radially arranged crimping members as a unit with respect to the rings is prevented.

In a crimping apparatus with:

• a pair of first and second, axially spaced apart, coaxial annular rings that each have concave force reactive surfaces that face those of the other ring and where at least one ring is axially moveable toward and away from the and a plurality of circumjacently spaced and radially arranged crimping members positioned intermediate the rings and each having first and second convex force reactive surfaces that slidably engage with the concave force reactive surfaces of the first and second rings, respectively, the engaging force reactive surfaces defining means for radially moving the crimping members toward and away from the annular ring axis between an open position and a radially inward crimping position, the radial movement being in response to axial movement of at least one of the annular rings;
• the improvement which comprises:
• the first and second rings having concave force reactive surfaces consisting essentially of a single pair of adjoining steep and shallow concave frustoconical surfaces, the steep surfaces being inclined at a greater angle from the ring axis than the shallow surfaces;
• the crimping members having first and second convex force reactive surfaces each of which includes a pair of steep and shallow convex frustoconical surfaces that slidably engage with the steep and shallow concave frustoconical surfaces of the inner and outer rings, the steep convex surfaces being inclined at a greater angle from the ring axis than the shallow convex frustoconical surfaces and wherein each of the crimping members includes a first and second pair of ledges which adjoining the ends of the steep surfaces located closest to the ring axis and which extend outwardly from the ends at an angle of about 12.degree. as measured from the axis, the ledges being in contact with the shallow surfaces of the rings when the crimping members are supporting said crimping members in the open loading position;
• and
• means for maintaining the crimping members in alignment while moving between the open position and the crimping position.