GB2276113A

GB2276113A - Tube marking device

Info

Publication number: GB2276113A
Application number: GB9301058A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Street
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-01-23
Filing date: 1993-01-23
Publication date: 1994-09-21
Also published as: GB9301058D0

Abstract

A tube marking device comprises a sleeve 1 welded to a ring 2 with longitudinally extending rods 4 therein. The sleeve is passed over a tube 6 and clamped in place by screws 9. A cutting line 8 is then marked on the tube, the device is removed and the tube is then cut and finish ground. <IMAGE>

Description

FORMING SHAPED ENDS This invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in forming a shaped end on a length of stock material such as tubing.

When tubing is cut, a rough end is often produced which requires finishing. Furthermore, a square or shaped end may be required which it is difficult to achieve with hand-held tools such as saws or flame cutting torches or finishing tools such as grinders.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus to alleviate or overcome the above problem.

This is achieved according to the invention by providing a guide which can be clamped to a length of stock material and which has a guide surface surrounding the stock material against which a tool can engage to mark or cut or wear away the stock material in forming a shaped end conforming to the shape of the guide surface.

The guide may be of an annular construction that is passed over the stock material from one end, or may be of a split construction that is closed around the stock material and clamped in place. In one example, the guide may comprise a sleeve that is a close fit with the periphery of the stock material and which incorporates clamping means such as screws that can be moved radially of the sleeve to engage the stock material within it. This arrangement is especially suitable for use with cylindrical stock material.

The guide surface may be the axially directed end face of a collar at one end of the guide sleeve so as to provide an extended radial guide surface to better resist axial wear by a finishing tool. In the case of tubular stock material, the collar is preferably a close fit with the stock so that the finishing tool need only overlap the inner edge of the guide surface enough to cover the width of the adjacent tubular wall.

The guide surface may be in a plane square with the longitudinal axis of the stock material so as to form a square end on the stock material. Alternatively, the guide surface may be in a plane angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the stock material, or may be in a curved plane.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a guide according to the invention, and Figure 2 is an end view of the guide of Figure 1.

The illustrated guide comprises a cylindrical sleeve 1 with a concentric ring 2 connected to it at one end by a butt weld 3.

The inner diameter of the sleeve 1 is slightly greater than the inner diameter of the ring 2, and a pair of longitudinally extending rods 4 are connected to the inner surface of the sleeve so that their inner surfaces conform to the central opening 5 in the ring 2, as shown in Figure 2. These inner dimensions of the guide are adapted to match the outer diameter of tubing 6 with which it is to be used, so that the guide is a close fit over the tubing, as shown in Figure 1.

The guide is located longitudinally on the tubing so that the axially directed outer surface 7 of the ring 2 is aligned on the required cutting line 8. The guide is then clamped in position by clamping means comprising a pair of screws 9 threaded in the sleeve 1 substantially opposite the rods 4 so that they are directed radially of the sleeve. These screws 9 are tightened against the wall of the tubing to clamp the tubing against the rods 4.

A marking tool is used to mark the cutting line 8 by moving the tool around the tubing whilst held against the surface 7 as a guide surface. The screws can then be released and the guide moved away from the cutting line 8. A flame cutting tool is then used to cut through the tubing along this line leaving a rough cut end. The guide is then repositioned and clamped in place with the rough cut end of the tubing projecting slightly from the ring 2. A grinding tool is then used to remove the roughness of the cut end by grinding away material to the level of the guide surface 7. The guide is then released and repositioned in the same length of tubing to mark another cutting line if required, the same sequence of operations being repeated as for the first cut, except that the guide must be removed and turned around to finish the other end of the cut length of tubing.

The guide can therefore be used to mark a cutting line, and to guide a finishing tool to form a square end on tubing or any cylindrical stock. Alternatively, the guide can be used to guide a saw to form a square cut end which can then be finished using the guide with a finishing tool.

If required, the guide surface 7 canbbe set in a plane angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the stock, or can be shaped in a curved plane.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the guide surface 7 may be formed on a detachable component fastened to the ring 2 so that a worn guide surface can be replaced or a guide surface of one shape can be replaced by another of a different shape.

It will be appreciated that a guide according to the invention can be readily adapted for use with stock material with a noncircular cross-section by suitable shaping of the crosssection of the guide and the clamping means to engage with the stock material.

Claims

SHAPING TUBE ENDS

CLAIMS 1 A clampable fixtue comprising of a sleeve of close dimensional fit. to the periphery of a stock material, Also comprising a guiding face
2 A clampable fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein the guiding face is interchangable.
3 A clampable fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body can be in sections longditudally for fitting and removes,
4 A clampable fixture as claimed in claims 1+2 with extended radial end face.
5 A clampable fixture as claimed in claims 1,2+4 wherein the guiding face can be made with various shaping.