Universal Press for Deforming Pipe Connection Sleeves, and for Other Uses

Abstract

Universal press ( 1 ) comprising two crosspieces ( 7, 8 ) movable relative to each other in a rectilinear direction (C) with mutual approach and withdrawal movement, to act on a series of crimping inserts ( 2 ) disposed to define an annular housing seat ( 3 ) for a connection sleeve, such as to urge them simultaneously towards this latter and to retract them simultaneously in the opposite direction, following respectively a mutual approach movement and a mutual withdrawal movement of said crosspieces ( 7, 8 ). Said press comprises an insert carrier frame ( 4, 5 ) which is interposed between said crosspieces ( 7, 8 ) and comprises an assembly of slide seats ( 44 ) disposed radially about a common central axis (A) and each arranged to receive a respective crimping insert ( 2 ) and to slidably guide it in a radial direction with to-and-fro movement with respect to said central axis (A).

1 . A universal press comprising two crosspieces ( 7 ,  8 ) movable relative to each other in a rectilinear direction (C) with mutual approach and withdrawal movement, to act on a series of crimping inserts ( 2 ) disposed to define an annular housing seat ( 3 ) for a connection sleeve, such as to urge them simultaneously towards this latter and to retract them simultaneously in the opposite direction, following respectively a mutual approach movement and a mutual withdrawal movement of said crosspieces ( 7 ,  8 ),
 characterised by comprising an insert carrier frame ( 4 ,  5 ) which is interposed between said crosspieces ( 7 ,  8 ) and comprises an assembly of slide seats ( 44 ) disposed radially about a common central axis (A) and each arranged to receive a respective crimping insert ( 2 ) and to slidably guide it in a radial direction with to-and-fro movement with respect to said central axis (A).   
   
   
       2 . A press as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that each crosspiece ( 7 ,  8 ) comprises thrust surfaces ( 79 ), each of which is arranged to remain constantly in contact with the rear of at least one respective crimping insert ( 2 ) by virtue of retention means ( 76 ), such as to drive said crimping insert ( 2 ) in its movement within the relative slide seat ( 44 ). 
   
   
       3 . A press as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that said thrust surfaces ( 79 ) are inclined to the direction of relative movement (C) of the crosspieces ( 7 ,  8 ). 
   
   
       4 . A press as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that the rear of the crimping inserts is shaped such that it rests on the corresponding thrust surface ( 79 ) with an extended contact surface. 
   
   
       5 . A press as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that said thrust surfaces ( 79 ) are associated with the walls of two symmetrically opposing identical lunettes which are provided respective in one and in the other crosspiece ( 7 ,  8 ). 
   
   
       6 . A press as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that said lunettes present a substantially V-shaped profile, the oblique walls of which each carry a respective thrust surface ( 79 ). 
   
   
       7 . A press as claimed in  claim 6 , characterised in that said oblique walls are mutually perpendicular. 
   
   
       8 . A press as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that each thrust surface ( 79 ) is provided by a reinforcement plate ( 75 ) rigidly fixed to the relative crosspiece ( 7 ,  8 ). 
   
   
       9 . A press as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that said retention means comprise, for each crimping insert ( 2 ), a magnet ( 76 ) interposed between the rear of the crimping insert ( 2 ) and the thrust surface ( 79 ). 
   
   
       10 . A press as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that the support frame is formed from two separate symmetrically opposing identical half-frames ( 4 ,  5 ), each of which is supported by a respective crosspiece ( 7 ,  8 ). 
   
   
       11 . A press as claimed in  claim 10 , characterised in that each half-frame ( 4 ,  5 ) is supported by the relative crosspiece ( 7 ,  8 ) via elastic means ( 74 ) which constantly press it against the other half-frame, while enabling the crosspiece ( 7 ,  8 ) to move relative to it. 
   
   
       12 . A press as claimed in  claim 10 , characterised in that each of said half-frames ( 4 ,  5 ) comprises two spaced-apart identical facing plates ( 40 ,  41 ), each individual slide seat being defined by two opposing guide channels ( 44 ) provided respectively in the facing faces of said facing plates ( 40 ,  41 ); the crosspieces ( 7 ,  8 ) each comprising a respective central rib ( 70 ,  80 ) slidable between the facing plates ( 40 ,  41 ) of the corresponding half-frame ( 4 ,  5 ), and carrying said thrust surfaces ( 79 ). 
   
   
       13 . A press as claimed in  claim 10 , characterised in that between said half-frames ( 4 ,  5 ) there are interposed two spacer cylinders ( 6 ) disposed parallel to the central axis (A) and individually retained between two cradles ( 6 ′,  6 ″) provided respectively in one and in the other half-frame ( 4 ,  5 ). 
   
   
       14 . A press as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that a first crosspiece ( 8 ) comprises two projecting shafts ( 81 ) which penetrate into two corresponding receiving holes ( 78 ) provided in the second crosspiece ( 7 ), and are removably lockable to their interior by locking means ( 9 );
 said projecting shafts ( 81 ) sliding simultaneously in said movement direction (C) to cause the crosspieces ( 7 ,  8 ) to approach or withdraw from each other.   
   
   
       15 . A press as claimed in  claim 14 , characterised in that said locking means comprise a latch ( 9 ) slidably received within a transverse hole ( 90 ) provided in the second crosspiece ( 7 ) and into which said receiving holes ( 78 ) for the projecting shafts ( 81 ) open;
 said latch ( 9 ) being able to be located in an engagement position, in which it fits by insertion into both projecting shafts ( 81 ) to lock them to said second crosspiece ( 7 ), and in a release position, in which it disengages from said insertion fit, to enable the projecting shafts ( 81 ) to be inserted into and withdrawn from the receiving holes ( 78 ).   
   
   
       16 . A press as claimed in  claim 15 , characterised in that said latch ( 9 ) comprises two separate apertures ( 92 ) passing through its thickness, each of which is shaped to present:
 a wide portion ( 92 ′) which faces a respective receiving hole ( 78 ) when the latch ( 9 ) is in its release position, to enable the relative projecting shaft ( 81 ) to pass; and   a narrow portion ( 92 ″), elongated as a slot in the direction in which the latch ( 9 ) slides, to engage as an exact fit an intermediate reduced cross-section portion ( 93 ) of said projecting shaft ( 81 ), when this latter is inserted into the aperture ( 92 ) and the latch ( 9 ) is in its engagement position.   
   
   
       17 . A press as claimed in  claim 15 , characterised in that said latch ( 9 ) is of generally cylindrical shape and presents two recesses ( 91 ) which, positioned in correspondence with said through apertures ( 92 ) on the opposite side to the receiving holes ( 78 ), are each able to receive the end portion ( 94 ) of a respective projecting shaft ( 81 ) to enable the insertion fit to be achieved. 
   
   
       18 . A press as claimed in  claim 14 , characterised in that each projecting shaft ( 81 ) comprises a wide disc ( 82 ) slidably received within a relative cylindrical chamber ( 83 ) of the first crosspiece ( 8 ), which chamber is fed with a pressurized fluid urging the disc ( 82 ) in the direction causing the crosspieces ( 7 ,  8 ) to approach each other. 
   
   
       19 . A press as claimed in  claim 18 , characterised in that at least one of said cylindrical chambers ( 83 ) is closed by an element ( 89 ) which is movable in the sliding direction of the wide disc ( 82 ), and enables the stroke of this latter to be varied.