Crimping Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for crimping an end fitting onto a flexible drilling hose is described. The apparatus includes a frame supporting a plurality of crimping dies arranged in a circular pattern and extending along a radial axis from a common longitudinal axis. The frame is manually movable along a linear slideway parallel to said longitudinal axis to position said crimping dies with respect to the assembly to be crimped.

1 . An apparatus for crimping a fitting onto a flexible hose, the apparatus comprising
 a frame supporting a plurality of crimping dies,   said crimping dies being arranged in an annular pattern,   each of said crimping dies extending along a radial axis from a common longitudinal axis,   each of said crimping dies having a first end configured to provide a desired crimp pattern,   said crimping dies moving radially with respect to said frame throughout a crimping operation,   said frame being movably coupled to a guide arrangement in a positioning direction parallel to said longitudinal axis to position said crimping dies with respect to the assembly to be crimped.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide arrangement comprises a slideway to which said frame is slidably coupled. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said slideway comprises a linear slideway parallel to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , comprising
 an anvil arrangement and an holding arrangement, said anvil arrangement being supported by said frame,   said anvil arrangement being selectively movable with respect to said frame between an uncrimp configuration and a crimp configuration,   each of said crimping dies having a second end opposite said first end,   said second end being configured for slidable contact with said anvil arrangement,   said anvil arrangement having an anvil cam portion in contact with die cam portions of said second ends of said crimping dies throughout a crimping operation,   said die cam portions being arranged at a predetermined angle relative to the corresponding crimping die radial axis,   said die cam portions being urged against said anvil cam portion by spring means,   said crimping dies being arranged in a circular pattern and being moved under force from said anvil arrangement maintaining a concentric crimp throughout a crimping operation,   said longitudinal axis being horizontal,   said holding arrangement being configured to hang the assembly to be crimped in a suspended manner so as to adjust the position of the assembly to be crimped with respect to said crimping dies in a vertical plane normal to said longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising
 an anvil arrangement supported by said frame,   said anvil arrangement being selectively movable with respect to said frame between an uncrimp configuration and a crimp configuration,   each of said crimping dies having a second end opposite said first end,   said second end being configured for slidable contact with said anvil arrangement,   said anvil arrangement having an anvil cam portion in contact with die cam portions of said second ends of said crimping dies throughout a crimping operation,   said die cam portions being disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the corresponding crimping die radial axis,   said crimping dies being arranged in a circular pattern and moving under force from said anvil arrangement maintaining a concentric crimp throughout a crimping operation.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said anvil arrangement is movable with respect to said frame between the uncrimp and crimp configurations in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said die cam portions are urged against said anvil cam portion by spring means. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising
 a base for supporting said frame,   said guide arrangement comprising a slideway,   said frame being slidably coupled to said slideway,   said slideway being rigidly connected to said base.   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising
 a base for supporting said frame,   said guide arrangement comprising a slideway rigidly connected to said base,   said slideway comprising a rail,   said frame being provided with wheels coupled with said rail.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a holding arrangement configured to support the assembly to be crimped so as the position thereof is adjustable along a plane that is normal to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein
 said longitudinal axis is substantially horizontal and   said holding arrangement is configured to hang the assembly to be crimped in a suspended manner.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said crimping dies are movable radially with respect to said frame under force from an actuating device at least partially supported by said frame. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame is movable in said positioning direction under manual force from an operator.