Tool and related methods and apparatus

Abstract

A tool for use in abrading, honing, lapping or otherwise finishing or working the interior surface of a bore, aperture, cylinder or like work piece includes an abrading element dependently supported about a mandrel assembly. The abrading element has a longitudinal slit in order that the abrading element is radially expansible upon the outward application of force from within a longitudinal bore provided therethrough. The mandrel assembly includes a threaded rod upon which is formed a radially expansible arbor, which is formed by application over and about the threaded rod of one or more radially expansible, preferably cylindrical, bushings, which bushings are separated and bounded by a plurality of radially fixed, preferably spherical bushings. The mandrel assembly may also be used as an inside diameter mandrel for supporting a work piece undergoing a machining process.

1 . An abrading tool, said abrading tool comprising:
 a mandrel assembly, said mandrel assembly comprising:
 a generally cylindrical rod, said rod having at a first end thereof a stop and having at an opposite, second end thereof an adjustment; 
 a radially expansible arbor, said radially expansible arbor being dependently positioned about said rod between said stop and said adjustment; and 
 wherein said adjustment is operable to cause radial expansion of said radially expansible arbor; and 
   an industrial abrading element, wherein:
 said industrial abrading element comprises a substantially cylindrical longitudinal bore therethrough, said bore being adapted for sliding engagement over and about said radially expansible arbor; 
 said industrial abrading element is dependently supported about said mandrel assembly and radially expansible under radial expansion of said radially expansible arbor. 
   
     
     
         2 . The abrading tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said radially expansible arbor comprises:
 a radially expansible hardened bushing, said radially expansible hardened bushing being slidingly engaged about said rod;   a plurality of radially fixed hardened bushings, said radially fixed hardened bushings being slidingly engaged about said rod; and   wherein said radially fixed hardened bushings bound said radially expansible hardened bushing.   
     
     
         3 . The abrading tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said radially expansible arbor comprises:
 a plurality of radially expansible hardened bushings, said radially expansible hardened bushings being slidingly engaged about said rod;   a plurality of radially fixed hardened bushings, said radially fixed hardened bushings being slidingly engaged about said rod; and   wherein said radially fixed hardened bushings separate and bound said radially expansible hardened bushings.   
     
     
         4 . The abrading tool as recited in  claim 3 , wherein:
 each said radially expansible hardened bushing is generally cylindrical and comprises a longitudinal slit therethrough; and   each said radially fixed hardened bushing is generally spherical.   
     
     
         5 . The abrading tool as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said stop comprises a chucking collar. 
     
     
         6 . The abrading tool as recited in  claim 5 , wherein:
 said rod is threaded at said first end; and   said chucking collar is adapted for threaded engagement with said threaded first end of said rod.   
     
     
         7 . The abrading tool as recited in  claim 6 , wherein:
 said chucking collar comprises a tang; and   said industrial abrading element comprises a slot, said slot being sized and positioned on said industrial abrading element for mating engagement with said tang of said chucking collar.   
     
     
         8 . The abrading tool as recited in  claim 6 , wherein:
 said rod is threaded at said second end; and   said adjustment comprises a nut adapted for threaded engagement with said threaded second end of said rod.   
     
     
         9 . A mandrel assembly for use with an industrial abrading element, said mandrel assembly comprising:
 a generally cylindrical rod, said rod having at a first end thereof a stop and having at an opposite, second end thereof an adjustment;   a radially expansible arbor, said radially expansible arbor being dependently positioned about said rod between said stop and said adjustment and comprising:
 a radially expansible hardened bushing, said radially expansible hardened bushing being slidingly engaged about said rod; 
 a plurality of radially fixed hardened bushings, said radially fixed hardened bushings being slidingly engaged about said rod; and 
 wherein said radially fixed hardened bushings bound said radially expansible hardened bushing; and 
   wherein said adjustment is operable to cause radial expansion of said radially expansible arbor.   
     
     
         10 . The mandrel assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said stop comprises a chucking collar. 
     
     
         11 . The mandrel assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein:
 said rod is threaded at said first end; and   said chucking collar is adapted for threaded engagement with said threaded first end of said rod.   
     
     
         12 . A mandrel assembly for use with an industrial abrading element, said mandrel assembly comprising:
 a generally cylindrical rod, said rod having at a first end thereof a stop and having at an opposite, second end thereof an adjustment;   a radially expansible arbor, said radially expansible arbor being dependently positioned about said rod between said stop and said adjustment and comprising:
 a plurality of radially expansible hardened bushings, said radially expansible hardened bushings being slidingly engaged about said rod; 
 a plurality of radially fixed hardened bushings, said radially fixed hardened bushings being slidingly engaged about said rod; and 
 wherein said radially fixed hardened bushings bound said radially expansible hardened bushings; and 
   wherein said adjustment is operable to cause radial expansion of said radially expansible arbor.   
     
     
         13 . The mandrel assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein:
 said rod is threaded at said second end; and   said adjustment comprises a nut adapted for threaded engagement with said threaded second end of said rod.   
     
     
         14 . The mandrel assembly as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said stop comprises a chucking collar. 
     
     
         15 . The mandrel assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said stop comprises a chucking collar. 
     
     
         16 . The mandrel assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of said plurality of radially expansible hardened bushings comprises a wall thickness greater than the wall thickness of at least one other of said plurality of radially expansible hardened bushings. 
     
     
         17 . The mandrel assembly as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said radially expansible arbor further comprises a spacer element. 
     
     
         18 . The mandrel assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said radially expansible arbor further comprises a spacer element.