Thread rolling tool

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a cold roll tool that may be used in forming various threads. In one illustrative embodiment, the tool comprises a tool holder, a boring bar and a cold roll wheel operatively coupled to the boring bar, wherein a position of the cold roll wheel relative to the tool holder along a first direction is moveable. In another illustrative embodiment, the tool comprises a tool holder, a boring bar slidingly coupled to the tool holder to thereby allow movement of the boring bar in a first direction relative to the tool holder, and a cold roll wheel operatively coupled to the boring bar.

1 . A thread rolling tool, comprising: 
 a tool holder;    a boring bar; and    a cold roll wheel operatively coupled to said boring bar, wherein a position of said cold roll wheel relative to said tool holder along a first direction is moveable.    
   
   
       2 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 1 , further comprising means for limiting movement of said cold roll wheel relative to said tool holder along said first direction.  
   
   
       3 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 1 , further comprising means for limiting movement of said cold roll wheel relative to said tool holder in a second direction.  
   
   
       4 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a piston operatively coupled to said cold roll wheel; and    a pressure gauge for determining a pressure applied by said cold roll wheel.    
   
   
       5 . A thread rolling tool, comprising: 
 a tool holder;    a boring bar slidingly coupled to said tool holder to thereby allow movement of said boring bar in a first direction relative to said tool holder; and    a cold roll wheel operatively coupled to said boring bar.    
   
   
       6 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one projection for limiting travel of said boring bar relative to said tool holder along said first direction.  
   
   
       7 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 5 , wherein said boring bar extends through said tool holder and is coupled thereto by a key.  
   
   
       8 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 7 , wherein said key is positioned in a first slot formed in said boring bar and a second slot formed in said tool holder.  
   
   
       9 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 5 , further comprising a key that couples said boring bar to said tool holder to thereby limit movement of said boring bar relative to said tool holder in a second direction.  
   
   
       10 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 5 , wherein said tool holder comprises a generally cylindrical section and a rectangular clamp block coupled to said cylindrical section.  
   
   
       11 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a piston operatively coupled to said cold roll wheel;    a pressure gauge; and    an internal passageway formed in said boring bar, said internal passageway adapted to be filled with a hydraulic fluid.    
   
   
       12 . A thread rolling tool, comprising: 
 a tool holder;    a boring bar that extends through and is slidingly coupled to said tool holder to thereby allow movement of said boring bar in a first direction relative to said tool holder;    a cold roll wheel operatively coupled to said boring bar; and    at least one projection for limiting travel of said boring bar relative to said tool holder along said first direction.    
   
   
       13 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 12 , further comprising a key that couples said boring bar to said tool holder to thereby limit movement of said boring bar relative to said tool holder in a second direction.  
   
   
       14 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 12 , wherein said tool holder comprises a generally cylindrical section and a rectangular clamp block coupled to said cylindrical section.  
   
   
       15 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a piston operatively coupled to said cold roll wheel;    a pressure gauge; and    an internal passageway formed in said boring bar, said internal passageway adapted to be filled with a hydraulic fluid.    
   
   
       16 . A thread rolling tool, comprising: 
 a tool holder;    a boring bar that extends through and is slidingly coupled to said tool holder to thereby allow movement of said boring bar in a first direction relative to said tool holder;    a cold roll wheel operatively coupled to said boring bar;    at least two projections for limiting travel of said boring bar relative to said tool holder along said first direction; and    a key that couples said boring bar to said tool holder to thereby limit movement of said boring bar relative to said tool holder in a second direction.    
   
   
       17 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 16 , wherein said tool holder comprises a generally cylindrical section and a rectangular clamp block coupled to said cylindrical section.  
   
   
       18 . The thread rolling tool of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a piston operatively coupled to said cold roll wheel;    a pressure gauge; and    an internal passageway formed in said boring bar, said internal passageway adapted to be filled with a hydraulic fluid.