US 9,427,855 B2 · Crimping tool for a boot clamp

Abstract

A tool for compressing an annular clamp such as may be used on a boot for a constant velocity joint. The tool includes multiple segments each having an interior adapted to engage an exterior surface of the clamp, and at least two segments are movable relative to each other to permit variation of the size of a gap provided between the two segments. A drive is associated with the two segments to move the two segments and vary the size of the gap between the two segments. The segments are interconnected and adapted to surround at least a majority of the exterior surface of the clamp and movement of the two segments by the drive varies an inner diameter defined by the segments to crimp or compress the clamp. In at least some implementations, this may be done with the CVJ installed on a vehicle.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A tool for compressing an annular clamp having a circular exterior surface and an axial face, comprising:

multiple segments each having opposed axial faces and an inner surface adapted to engage the exterior surface of the clamp, at least two segments are movable relative to each other and a gap is provided between said two segments, and wherein the inner surface of each segment has an axial width between the two opposed axial faces of the segment, and one or more segments include a radially inwardly extending lip adjacent to one of the axial faces of said one or more segments and the lip is adapted to engage an axial face of the clamp;
and
a drive associated with said two segments to move said two segments and vary the size of the gap between said two segments, wherein said segments are interconnected so that the inner surfaces of the segments define an inner diameter of the tool and adapted to surround at least a majority of the exterior surface of the clamp and movement of said two segments by the drive varies the inner diameter defined by the segments.

A tool for compressing or crimping a clamp for a boot of a constant velocity joint that has a circular outer surface, comprising:

four or more segments each having two opposed axial faces and an inner surface adapted to engage the outer surface of the clamp and wherein the inner surface of each segment has an axial width between the two opposed axial faces of the segment, and each segment includes a lip extending inwardly beyond the inner surface the segment and located adjacent to one of the axial faces of said segment, each segment having two ends with each end adapted to be connected to and movable relative to at least one adjacent segment with a junction defined at each end of each segment and an adjustable gap provided at at least one junction;
and
a separate drive associated with each gap, each drive being movable to move the ends of the segments associated with that drive and thereby vary the size of the gap at the associated junction, wherein the segments are interconnected so that the inner surfaces of the segments define an inner diameter of the tool and adapted to surround at least a majority of the exterior surface of the clamp and movement of the drives varies an inner diameter defined by the inner surfaces of the segments.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Crimping tool for a boot clamp

Life of this patent

Crimping tool for a boot clamp

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20