AU592822B2 - Pipe cutting and crimping - Google Patents

Description

592822 Form

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. CI: Application Number: Lodged: C~z 1 -a EvInplete Specification-Lodged: 0 Accepted: Lapsed: Published: P Friority: t* fl49.

Related Art: 00.

'Name of Applicant: #Address of Applicant: Acua Invetor TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT GREGORY WALDERMAR VONTHIEN "Eloura", Walbundrie, 2642,

AUSTRALIA.

Gregory Waldermar Vonthien Address for Service: CLEMENT HACK CO., 601 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: PIPE CUTTING AND CRIMPING The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- PF/CPlF/2/80 r a i 4*

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4 PIPE CRIMPING AND CUTTING This invention relates to pipe crimping and cutting and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a portable apparatus for this purpose which can be activated from the normal hydraulics connections on a tractor.

1tus When producing steel fencing for farms it is normal to use tubular or pipe steel of approximately 38 nun. or 50 mm.

diameter. The ends of the pipe are either cut square or at 450 and then crimped so as to enable good welding to a mating part of the fence. The fence is usually comprised of upright posts, horizontal runners and some inclined supporting struts which all interconnect at various points. The struts are Iii 3 obviously cut at 450 to enable proper connection with the posts and runners. Sometimes the runners require crimping intermediate the ends thereof so that the fence posts can be suitably connected thereto.

Out in the field, it is quite difficult for a fencer to quickly and economically provide the necessary cuts and crimps. The present invention has been divised to attempt to produce apparatus which will assist this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cutting and crimping pipe, said apparatus comprising: a first jaw and a second jaw, at least one of said jaws being mounted for relative reciprocating movement toward and away from the other, said first jaw and second jaw each having a first t section provided with means for cutting and crimping pipe placed therebetween and a second section without means for cutting pipe, whereby pipe can be placed in said second section for crimping only; and, guide means disposed at an angle relative to the first jaw and second jaw for guiding a pipe placed between the first jaw and second jaw whereby, in use, a pipe can be cut and crimped in said first section or crimped only in said second section at an angle determined by the angle of the guide means.

Most preferably said first jaw and second jaw are mounted so that they can be angularly rotated together about a generally horizontal axis so that pipe can be introduced between t the jaws either vertically or horizontally. When the pipe is long i.e. over say 2m in length it is desirable that it be introduced horizontally between the jaws. When the pipe is to be only crimped, it is also desirable for the pipe to be introduced horizontally between the jaws. If the pipe is shorter than say 2m in length then it is desirable that it be inserted vertically between the jaws so as to cut and crimp F, ir

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Desirably the jaws are moved by a hydraulic ram which can be connected to the hydraulics of a tractor.

In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:- Figure 1 is a side view of a typical construction of fence using pipe; Figure 2 is a rear top perspective view of one preferred crimping apparatus; Figure 3 is a plan view of the crimping apparatus shown in Figure 2; 15 Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a side elevational cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an end view showing angular rotation of the jaws; Figure 7 is a further end view showing a different angular rotation of the jaws; Figure 8 shows one type of cut and crimp which can be performed; Figure 9 shows a further type of cut and crimp which can be performed; Figure 10 shows when only a crimp is performed; Figure 11 is a top perspective view of a crimping apparatus with a pipe bending feature; and Figure 12 shows the apparatus in Figure 11 having a log-splitting feature.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a typical fence arrangement. Here a fence comprises a plurality of posts 1, an upper runner 3 and lower runners 5; it also includes a diagonal strut 7. As shown, the posts 1 have different types of terminations for the connection of other rr It

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5 parts in the fence. In particular the right hand post 1 has a 450 cut and crimped end 9. The central post 1 has a lower crimp 11 and an upper square cut and crimp 13. The left hand post 1 is of the same type as that shown for the central post The upper runner 3 has its right hand end cut at 450 and crimped as shown by end 15. Above the intermediate post 1 the upper runner 3 is also crimped at 17. It is also crimped at 19 above the left hand post 1. The lower left hand runner is cut square and crimped at 21 at each end. The right hand lower runner 5 ib also crimped and cut square as shown by 21.

The strut 7 is cut and crimped at 450 at its lower end 23 and at its upper end 25 it has two 450 cuts thereon and a single crimp. In use the cut and crimped ends or simply the crimped parts of the pipe are brought together and then welded or 15 otherwise connected in the normal manner. Of course, it will be understood, the apparatus has wider applications other than S fence construction.

Referring now to the cutting and crimping apparatus shown in the drawings and in particular to Figure 2, it can be seen that there is provided a pair of opposed cutting jaws and 51. Jaw 50 is fixedly held relative to two parallel guides 53 comprising part of a support structure Guides 53 comprise spaced pipes. The pipes are held in spaced relationship by end plates 55 and 57. End members 59 and 61 25 are welded to the very ends of the guides 53. In alternative embodiments it may be preferable to attach end plates 55 and 57 and end members 59 and 61 in screw-threaded relation to I guides 53 in order to allow for ease of disassembly. The guides 53 carry a sliding yoke 63 and jaw 51 is, in turn, '30 integrally attached with the yoke 63. The yoke 63 comprises two tubular sliding members 65 and an interconnecting bridge part 69. In alternative embodiments the yoke 63 may be manufactured as an integral unit by casting or suitable machining. Means are provided in the tubular portions 65 for maintaining lubrication of the sliding surfaces with grease or other lubricants. Mountings may be provided on the yoke 63 I: i-n; ii~ i 4, a *0t .4 a It

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for attachment of additional tools or components as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Accordingly, the jaws and 51 can be relatively moved towards and away from each other by means of the yoke 63 sliding along the guides 53.

In order to permit this movement a hydraulic ram 71 is mounted between the plate 55 and the bridge part 69. The hydraulic ram can connect with a tractor hydraulics or with any other suitable hydraulics so as to permit the relative movement of the jaws 50 and 51 as aforesaid.

End member 59 has a centrally located swivel pin 73 attached thereto and the swivel pin 73, in turn, connects with an axle 75 which supports two wheels 77. In the embodiment large wheels with the pivot at the axle height are employed, however in alternative embodiments smaller wheels with the pivot raised above the axle height may be preferable. End member 61 has two upright legs 79 attached at each side thereof. The legs 79 are arranged to extend parallel to one another and the length of the legs and the width of spacing 4 apart of the legs is such that the jaws can be rotated about a generally horizontal axis defined by the swivel pin 73 so that the longitudinal extent of the faces of the jaws 50 and 51 can extend horizontally or vertically. The legs 79 are of a length and a spacing apart such that the longitudinal axis of each of the guides 53 is maintained substantially horizontally regardless of the angular orientation of the jaws 50 and 51.

A handle 81 is attached to the end member 61 so as to facilitate a) the angular rotation of the jaws 50 and 51 and b) the ease in transport of the pipe crimping and cutting apparatus.

The pipe crimping and cutting apparatus shown in Figure 2 has three guide plates attached thereto. In Figure 2 only two of the guide plates can be clearly seen. The first of the guide plates comprises a 90 0 guide plate 83; the second of the guide plates comprises a 45 0 guide plate 85 and a third of the guide plates comprises a 900 guide plate 87 (see Figure Figure 3 shows the apparatus of Figure 2 in plan view and Ii 11 ~dj i 7 the 900 guide plate 87 can only partly be seen in this view.

Figure 3 also shows an extension handle 89 which is a tubular piece of metal used for physically inserting over the end of the handle 81 so as to provide a greater mechanical advantage when transporting the apparatus to and fro. When not in use the extension handle 89 is simply held on the plate 61 by locating over an upright pin (not clearly shown).

Referring now to Figures 3 and 5 it can be seen that the jaws 50 and 51 have lower cutting edges 91 and 93. The cutting edge 91 extending from jaw 50 does not extend fully across the face of the jaw 50. In other words, there is a S section 95 of jaw 50 (see Figure 3) which does not have a of cutting surface. This will be explained in due course. By jl•: returning to Figure 5 it can be seen that the cutting jaws 9 and 51 each have a crimping part 97 and a flared part 99.

S• Referring now to Figure 4 it can be seen that a pipe S can be introduced between the jaws 50, 51 by locating it 0 s against appropriate guide plate 83 or 85. By placing the pipe against guide plate 83 and operating the ram 71, the pipe will be cut-off square and crimped accordingly. By placing the pipe against guide plate 85 it will be cut-off at 450 and crimped accordingly. Figures 4 and 5 show the apparatus with foot A* the longitudinal extent of the jaws extending generally horizontally as shown in Figure 2.

25 In Figure 6 the jaws 50 and 51 have been rotated so that the longitudinal extent of the jaws extends generally S vertically i.e. the handle is rotated anti-clockwise by 900.

In this position the pipe can be passed completely between the S jaws 50, 51 and placed against guide plate 87. When the ram 71 is operated the pipe will only be crimped intermediate its ends and not cut as the cutting edge 91 is not located across the pipe.

Figure 7 shows the handle 81 angularly rotated i clock-wise by 900 so ihat the longitudinal extent of the jaws 50, 51 extends substantially vertically. In this position, pipe can be rested on top of the guide plate 83 and passed i- -8completely through the jaws 50, 51 so that the pipe can be cut intermediate its ends. This is particularly valuable when the pipe is an extremely long length of pipe, for example 6 m. in length.

Because the cutting edge 91 does not extend fully across jaw 50, when the pipe is inserted in section 95, it valuable for providing crimp intermediate the ends of the pipe.

In an alternative embodiment cutting edge 91 is provided across the full width of jaw 50 and the crimping action alone is not available. Preferably cutting edge 91 is a hardened metal component which is removably mounted to the jaw 50 so as to be replaceabl:' with new or alternative cutting or crimping edges. Although in the drawings cutting edge 91 is shown parallel to edge 93, it may be preferable to have cutting edge 91 angled relative to edge 93 in order to achieve a smoother cutting action that begins at one end.

Referring now to Figure 8 it can be seen that the pipe has been cut squarely and crimped accordingly. Figure 9 shows that the pipe has been cut at 450 and crimped accordingly. Figure 10 shows that the pipe has been only crimped intermediate its ends. By appropriate double manipulation of the pipe into the apparatus a double 450 cut and crimp can be provided on the pipe for use as a strut 7, referred to previously.

Many modifications may be made to the cutting and crimping apparatus without departing from the inventive concept. For example, instead of using an hydraulic ram 71, an electrically operated solenoid mechanism could be provided.

Alternatively, a purely mechanical linkage means can be provided with a suitable lever whereby a person can manually apply pressure to jaw 51 relative to jaw 50 so as to obtain the necessary cutting and crimping. In the particular hydraulic embodiment described, for the particular pipe

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9 envisaged, a pressure of approximately 2,500 pounds per square inch is required. Typically a 200 mm. travel of the ram 71 is envisaged.

In the illustrated embodiment the guides 83, 85 and 87 are shown fixed in position, however there is no reason why guide 85, for example, may not be provided pivotably attached so that other cutting angles may be achieved. In an alternative embodiment guide 85 is dispensed with and guide 83 is pivotably attached to end plate 57 so as to be adjustable from a 900 position to a variety of acute angles. Preferably such an adjustable guide is provided with means for fixing it at any desired angle.

i ,In a further alternative embodiment the pipe cutting and crimping apparatus is provided with an additional pipe bending feature. Referring to Figure 11, a pipe carrier 31 is attached to the yoke 63 by means of pins held in holes 62 provided in mountings 64. Pipe carrier 31 comprises an adjustable former block 33 having pipe rollers 37 mounted for rotation in holes 35 in the upper surface of the block 33.

The bend angle of a pipe carried on the carrier block 33 may be adjusted by changing the spacing of rollers 37 in holes and by moving the position of the carrier block 33 relative to yoke 63. In this embodiment guide 85 has been dispensed with and a guide 83 (not shown) is provided removably mounted to the end plate 57. Preferably means are provided (not shown) for pivotably mounting the guide 83 on the end plate 57. In Fig. 11 guide plate 83 has been removed and a push rod guide 39 removably mounted to end plate 57. Push rod guide 39 may be mounted to end plate 57 by screws or other means and comprises part of a means 41 for bending the pipe carried on the pipe carrier 31.

Pipe bending means 41 further comprises an upper pushrod 43 received in an upper portion of the guide 39, and carries a pipe forming head 45 at one end for engagement with pipe carried on pipe carrier 31. The upper push rod 43 is driven in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of r 10 yoke 63 by means of a cam 49. Cam 49 pivots on a pin 44 removably received in pivot point 46 welded to end member 61.

A recess is cut out of end member 61 to allow cam 49 to pivot freely in an anti-clockwise direction as shown. Cam 49 is provided with several holes 48 positioned to allow variation in the distance travelled by upper pushrod 43. A lower pushrod 47 is received in a lower portion of guide 39 and transfers the motive force from yoke 63 to cam 49 and abuts against a surface of the carrier block 33.

With this arrangement of pushrods 43 and 47 and cam 49 it is possible to double the effective stroke of the ram 71 i.e. from about 200 mm to 400 mm. It will be evident that the forming head 45 can bend a pipe carried on carrier 31 to any S desired angle. The increased effective stroke of ram 71 lends itself to other advantageous uses of the apparatus, for example, a log splitting feature. Referring to Fig. 12 it may be seen that pipe forming head 45 has been replaced with a log a splitting wedge 101 carried on the end of pushrod 43. Pipe rollers 37 have been replaced with a log holder 103. With this arrangement a log held in holder 103 may be split by wedge 101 when ram 71 is extended to move yoke 63, the car-ier block 33, and the associated pushrods. It will be evident tt that many other useful modifications may be made to the above arrangement by fitting other tools to the upper pushrod ,13.

These and other modifications may be made without departing from the ambit of the invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

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Claims (14)

1. An apparatus for cutting and crimping pipe, said apparatus comprising: a first jaw and a second jaw, at least one of said jaws being mounted for relative reciprocating movement toward and away from the other, said first jaw and second jaw each having a first section provided with means for cutting and crimping pipe placed therebetween and a second section without means for cutting pipe, whereby pipe can be placed in said second section for crimping only; and, guide means disposed at an angle relative to the first jaw and second jaw for guiding a pipe placed between the first jaw and second jaw whereby, in use, a pipe can be cut and crimped in said first section or crimped only in said second section at t an angle determined by the angle of the guide means. I.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second jaw is fixedly mounted on a support structure and said J first jaw is slidably mounted on said support structure.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said support structure comprises a pair of parallel elongate members mounted in spaced relation carrying a sliding yoke therebetween and having said second jaw arranged at one end of said support structure, said first jaw being integrally attached to said sliding yoke, whereby sliding movement of the yoke toward said one end enables a face of said first jaw to engage with a face of the second jaw to achieve a crimping action on a pipe placed therebetween.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said engaging faces of the first jaw and second jaw respectively are provided with a flat region and a flared region. 7 0 A 41 12 The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein one of the first jaw or the second jaw is provided with a cutting edge extending therefrom to engage with edge of the other jaw, whereby, in use, a pipe placed therebetween is subjected to a shear7 cutting action.

6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide means comprises a first guide plate disposed substantially perpendicularly to a direction of cutting of said first jaw and second jaw. S 7 The apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said guide means further comprises a second guide plate disposed at an acute angle relative to said direction of cutting.

8. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide means is pivotable relative to said first jaw and second jaw, whereby the angle of the guide means is adjustable. 0 o 9. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first jaw and second jaw are mounted so that they can be rotated together about a generally horizontal axis, whereby pipe can be placed between the jaws either vertically or horizontally. t 10. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising: means for moving a tool in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said first jaw when said first jaw moves toward said second jaw; and a carry means mounted in fixed relation to said first jaw for carrying a work piece; Swhereby, in use, relative movement of the first jaw and the second jaw toward one another enables said tool to engage with a work piece.

11. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 10. wherein said tool moving means comprises first and second pushrods mounted |L parallel for slidable movement and coupled at one end by a cam means, said first pushrod carrying said tool at an end i: i 13 opposite to said one end, and said second pushrod being arranged to move with said first jaw when said first jaw moves toward said second jaw.

12. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said tool moving means further comprises a pushrod guide mounted in fixed relation to said second jaw and having an upper portion for receiving said first pushrod and a lower portion for receiving said second pushrod.

13. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein said cam means pivots about a pivot point mounted in c. fixed relation to said second jaw, said cam means having a plurality of pivot holes for receiving a pin held in said pivot point, whereby the stroke of said first pushrod may be varied by changing the pivot hole in which said pin is received.

14. The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 13 wherein said carrying means comprises a pipe carrier having means for carrying pipe transverse to the direction of relative movement of the first jaw. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 wherein said tool comprises a pipe forming head, whereby, in use, said pipe forming head can engage with a pipe carried on said pipe carrier and bend it to desired angle.

16. The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 13 wherein said carry means comprises a log holder having means for holding a log of wood longitudinally in the direction of movement of the first jaw.

17. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 wherein said tool comprises a log splitting wedge whereby, in use, said log splitting wedge can engage with a log held in said log holder and split it longitudinally.

18. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first jaw is driven for movement by a hydraulic ram. 14

19. An apparatus for cutting substantially as herein described with illustrated in the accompanying drawings. and crimping pipe reference to and as ft I tt. r Dated this 29th de.- of September 1989. GREGORY WALDERMAR VONTHIEN By His Patent Attorneys: GRIFFITH HACK CO Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia. p.. '4