Apparatus and method for forming flanged openings

Abstract

An apparatus and method for creating a flange around a preformed opening in a wall of a tubular member. The apparatus includes an elongated guidance housing adapted to fit within the tubular member. An elongated presser having at least one pressing surface is slidably received within the guidance housing. A punch member is located adjacent the pressing surface within the guidance housing. The punch member is sized to fit at least partially through a side opening in the guidance housing and at least partially through the preformed opening. When the presser is advanced relative to the guidance housing, the pressing surface to urges the punch-through the side opening and through the preformed opening. The movement of the punch thereby forms an outwardly upstanding annular flange extending around the preformed opening in the tubular member.

1 . An apparatus for creating a flange around a preformed opening in a wall of a tubular member, said apparatus comprising: 
 an elongated guidance housing adapted to fit within said tubular member, said guidance housing defining a hollow interior space and at least one side opening;    an elongated presser slidably received within said interior space of said guidance housing, said presser having at least one pressing surface; and    a punch member located adjacent said pressing surface within said interior space, said member being sized to fit at least partially through said side opening and at least partially through said preformed opening;    wherein the advancement of said presser relative to said guidance housing causes said pressing surface to push said punch through said side opening and through said preformed opening, the movement of said punch thereby forming an outwardly upstanding annular flange extending around said preformed opening.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of    claim 1    further comprising a clamping die to said punch member in a predetermined direction away from said preformed opening to form a directed flange around said preformed opening.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of    claim 2    wherein said punch member further comprises a ball bearing sized to fit at least partially through said side opening of said elongated guidance housing.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of    claim 2    wherein at least a portion of said pressing surface of said elongated presser further comprises a wedge shape, wherein said surface wedges said punch member against a portion of said elongated guidance housing.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of    claim 4    further comprising a tang edge formed along an interior edge surface of said side opening, wherein said at least a portion of said pressing surface urges said punch member against said tang edge.  
     
     
         6 . A system for creating a flange around a preformed circular opening in a wall of a tubular member, said apparatus comprising: 
 an elongated guidance housing adapted to fit within said tubular member, said guidance housing defining a hollow interior space and at least one side opening;    an elongated presser slidably received within said interior space of said guidance housing, said presser having at least one pressing surface;    at least one ball bearing located adjacent said pressing surface within said interior space, said member being sized to fit at least partially through said side opening and at least partially through said preformed opening;    means for advancing said presser within said guidance housing, said means including a pressurizable cylinder linked to a pump for pressurizing said cylinder, said cylinder incorporating a slidable piston connected to said presser; and    a clamp rigidly enclosing and reinforcing at least an exterior portion of said tubular member around said preformed opening;    wherein the advancement of said presser relative to said guidance housing causes said at least one pressing surface to push said bearing through said side opening and through said preformed opening, the movement of said bearing through said opening thereby forming an outwardly upstanding annular flange extending around said preformed opening.    
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for forming an opening in a wall of a tubular member, said apparatus comprising: 
 an elongated guidance housing adapted to fit within said tubular member, said guidance housing defining a hollow interior space and at least one side opening;    an elongated presser slidably received within said interior space of said guidance housing, said presser having at least one pressing surface; and    a punch member located adjacent said pressing surface within said interior space, said member being sized to fit at least partially through said side opening;    wherein the advancement of said presser relative to said guidance housing causes said pressing surface to urge said punch through said side opening and through a wall of said tubular member.    
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for creating a flanged opening in a wall, said apparatus comprising: 
 an elongated guidance housing adapted to be positioned against said wall, said guidance housing defining a hollow interior space and at least one side opening;    an elongated presser slidably received within said interior space of said guidance housing, said presser having at least one pressing surface; and    a punch member located adjacent said pressing surface within said interior space, said member being sized to fit at least partially through said side opening and at least partially through said preformed opening;    wherein the advancement of said presser relative to said guidance housing causes said pressing surface to push said punch through said side opening and through said wall to create an opening, the movement of said punch thereby forming an outwardly upstanding annular flange extending around said opening.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of    claim 8    further comprising means for removably securing said guidance housing against said wall.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of    claim 9    wherein said means further comprises a suction mechanism for attachment to said wall.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of    claim 9    wherein said means further comprises an electromagnet.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for forming an opening in the sidewall of a tubular member, said apparatus comprising: 
 an elongated guidance housing adapted to fit within said tubular member, said guidance housing defining a hollow interior space and at least one side opening in said housing;    an elongated presser slidably received within said interior space of said guidance housing, said presser having a distal end and a flanged end, said presser having at least one sloped pressing surface sloping toward said flanged end and said side opening in said guidance housing; and    a floating punch member received within said interior space of said guidance housing and in contact with said sloped pressing surface of said presser, said floating punch member being sized so that at least a portion of said punch member is receivable through said side opening;    wherein the advancement of said presser relative to said guidance housing causes said pressing surface to urge said floating punch through said side opening and through a sidewall of said tubular member.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of    claim 12    wherein said at least one pressing surface on said elongated presser forms a wedge shape.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of    claim 13    wherein said at least one side opening in said elongated guidance housing is located adjacent a distal end of said housing.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of    claim 14    wherein said at least one side opening in said elongated guidance housing is located on a curved sidewall of said housing.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of    claim 15    further comprising at least one groove formed in said at least one pressing surface of said elongated presser to guide said floating punch member along the center of said sloped pressing surface during the advancement of said presser relative to said guidance housing.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of    claim 16    further comprising an alignment pin extending inwardly from an inside surface of said guidance housing and into a groove defined on a portion of said presser, said groove and pin cooperating to prevent rotation of said presser within said guidance housing.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of    claim 17    wherein said punch member further comprises a ball bearing.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of    claim 18    wherein said elongated guidance housing further comprises a hollow right cylindrical tube, and at least a portion of said elongated presser comprises a cylinder adapted to closely fit within said guidance housing.  
     
     
         20 . A method of forming an opening in the sidewall of a tubular member, said method comprising the steps of: 
 inserting an elongated guidance housing into said tubular member, said guidance housing defining a hollow interior space and at least one side opening in said housing;    inserting a floating punch member into said interior space;    inserting an elongated presser into said interior space of said guidance housing, said presser having at least one sloped pressing surface, said insertion of said presser capturing said punch member between said sloped pressing surface and said side opening of said guidance housing; and    advancing said presser relative to said guidance housing to cause said at least one pressing surface to push said floating punch through said side opening and through a sidewall of said tubular member.