Methods and apparatus for using crimp rings on flexible tubing

Abstract

A crimping tool for crimping a metallic crimp ring. The crimping tool includes a first crimp die having a first curved contact surface and a second curved contact surface, the second curved contact surface spaced apart from the first curved contact surface, and a trench extending between the first curved contact surface and the second curved contact surface. The crimping tool also includes a second crimp die cooperatively engageable with the first crimp die having a first curved contact surface and a second curved contact surface, the second curved contact surface spaced apart from the first curved contact surface, and a trench extending between the first curved contact surface and the second curved contact surface. The trench of the first crimp die and the trench of the second crimp die forms an annular bead in a center portion of the metallic crimp ring.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for crimping a metallic crimp ring, the method comprising:
 providing a first crimp die having a first curved contact surface and a second curved contact surface, the second curved contact surface spaced apart from the first curved contact surface, and a trench extending between the first curved contact surface and the second curved contact surface;   providing a second crimp die cooperatively engageable with the first crimp die having a first curved contact surface and a second curved contact surface, the second curved contact surface spaced apart from the first curved contact surface, and a trench extending between the first curved contact surface and the second curved contact surface;   receiving a metallic crimp ring between the first crimp die and the second crimp die; and   cooperatively engaging the first crimp die with the second crimp die, wherein the trench of the first crimp die and the trench of the second crimp die forms an annular bead in a center portion of the metallic crimp ring.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising spacing the first curved contact surface and the second curved contact surface of the first crimp die at a sufficient distance for contacting a first outer portion and a second outer portion of the metallic crimp ring. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising spacing the first curved contact surface and the second curved contact surface of the second crimp die at a sufficient distance for contacting with a first outer portion and a second outer portion of the metallic crimp ring. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the curved contact surfaces of the first crimp die and the second crimp die crimp the outer portions of the metallic crimp ring when the first crimp die and the second crimp die are converged. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first crimp die further includes a guide finger in between the first curved contact surface and the second curved contact surface, the method further comprising inserting the guide finger into the trench of the second crimp die when the second crimp die is engaged with the first crimp die. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first crimp die further includes slots adjacent to the first curved contact surface and the second curved contact surface of the first crimp die, and the second crimp die further includes guide fingers, the method further comprising inserting the guide fingers of the second crimp die into the slots of the first crimp die when the second crimp die is cooperatively engaged with the first crimp die. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising actuating a press to cooperatively engage the first crimp die and the second crimp die to crimp the metallic crimp ring. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein cooperative engagement of the first crimp die and the second crimp die crimp the metallic crimp ring about a non-metallic flexible tube and a fitting to connect an end portion of a non-metallic flexible tube to a fitting. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the curved contact surfaces of the first crimp die and the second crimp die each form a semi-circle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the trench of the first crimp die or the trench of the second crimp die is a radial trench.