GB2474724A

GB2474724A - Fast Engaging Tube Flaring Device

Info

Publication number: GB2474724A
Application number: GB1005945A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tai-Hung Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-23
Filing date: 2010-04-09
Publication date: 2011-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-09
Also published as: GB201005945D0; GB2474724B; DE102010000175A1; DE102010000175B4; TW201114516A; TWI374780B

Abstract

A fast engaging tube flaring device includes a tube flaring element 10, a first seat 20, a tube fixing portion 30, and a second seat 40. The first seat 20 includes a fast engaging portion 22. This fast engaging portion 22 has a pair of engaging recesses 221. The second seat 40 has a pair of matching portions 43. When the engaging recesses 221 contact with or separate from the matching portions 43, the first seat 20 and the second seat 40 are combined or detached. So, the detaching/installing movement is simple and fast. The flaring element 10 can be replaced easily. Plus, the structure is simple.

Description

I

FAST ENGAGING TUBE FLARING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fast engaging tube flaring device. Particularly, it relates to a fast engaging tube flaring device that has a pair of fast engaging recesses for fast engagement. The detaching/installing movement is simple and fast.

The flaring element can be replaced easily. Plus, the structure is simple.

Description of the Prior Art

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the conventional tube flaring device 90 includes a seat 91, a threaded rod 92, a tube fixer 93, and a flaring part 94. The tube fixer 93 comprises a pair of adjusting parts 931, several clamping recesses 932, and a rail 933. Moreover, the seat 91 is slidable on this rail 933. Its moving scope is limited by the adjusting parts 931. The seat 91 further includes a threaded hole 911. The threaded rod 92 is disposed in the threaded hole 911. The flaring part 94 is disposed on one end of the threaded rod 92.

First, a tube 70 is placed in a suitable clamping channel 932. Then, the user can obtain a suitable size of the clamping channel 932 by adjusting the adjusting part 931. Therefore, this tube 70 can be secured on the clamping channel 932.

Finally, the threaded rod 92 can be rotated into the threaded hole 911. By utilizing the rotation of the threaded rod 92, the flaring part 94 moves toward the clamping channel 932 so as to conduct the flaring work for the tube 70.

However, about the conventional tube flaring device 90, when the flaring part 94 needs to be replaced, one of the adjusting parts 931 has to be loosened and taken off for replacing a new flaring part 94. The operation is inconvenient and the replacing procedure is quite complicated and time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a fast engaging tube flaring device.

Accordingly the invention provides a fast engaging tube flaring device as defined in the claims. The detaching/installing movement is simple and fast. The flaring element can be replaced easily. Plus, the structure is simple. Therefore, it can solve the problems of the conventional device such as the operation is inconvenient and the replacing procedure is quite complicated and time-consuming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the tube flaring process one of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the tube flaring process two of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the tube flaring process three of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the tube flaring process four of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the tube flaring process five of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the tube flaring process six of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view showing that the tube is ready to be flared.

FIG. 8B is an enlarged view showing that the tube has been flared.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1OA is another view illustrating the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. lOB is a view showing the process one of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. I OC is a view showing the process two of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the conventional tube flaring device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, this invention is a fast engaging tube flaring device. It mainly comprises a tube flaring element 10, a first seat 20, a tube fixing portion 30, and a second seat 40.

With regard to the tube flaring element 10, it has a first assembling portion 11 and a working end 12.

Concerning the first seat 20, it includes a pushing force generator 21 and a fast engaging portion 22. The pushing force generator 21 has a turnable portion 211 and a second assembling portion 212. The second assembling portion 212 moves along an axis driven by a turning (or rotation) of the turnable portion 211. The second assembling portion 212 is provided for connecting the first assembling portion 11 of the tube flaring element 10. The fast engaging portion 22 has a pair of engaging recesses 221. Each engaging recess 221 has an opening direction. The directions of these two engaging recesses 221 are substantially opposite.

About the tube fixing portion 30, it includes a pair of blocks 31, a clamping channel 32, and a working space 33. The clamping channel 32 is provided for clamping a tube 70. This clamping channel 32 communicates with the working space 33.

The second seat 40 includes a positioning portion 41, an adjusting portion 42, a pair of matching portions 43, a through hole 44, and a pair of limiting portions 45. The positioning portion 41 is disposed with the tube fixing portion 30. The adjusting portion 42 is provided for adjusting a distance between the pair of blocks 31 so as to adjust the clamping channel 32 and the working space 33. The matching portions 43 are provided for matching with the engaging recesses 221. The limiting portions 45 are disposed on upper ends of the matching portions 43. The fast engaging portion 22 has an engaged position P1 and a loosed position P2. When the fast engaging portion 22 is at the engaged position P1, the engaging recesses 221 contact with the matching portions 43 and the first seat 20 and the second seat 40 are combined due to the pair of limiting portions 45. When the fast engaging portion 22 is at the loosed position P2, the engaging recesses 221 separate from the matching portions 43 so that the first seat 20 and the second seat 40 can be separated.

As shown in FIG. 1, it is the first embodiment of the present invention. In which, the pushing force generator 21 includes a threaded hole 213. This turnable portion 211 has a threaded rod 211A. The length of the threaded rod 211A is larger than the length of the threaded hole 213. Also, the threaded rod 211A is screwed with the threaded hole 213 and connected to the second assembling portion 212. When the turnable portion 211 rotates, it makes the threaded rod 211A rotated in the threaded hole 213 so as to force the second assembling portion 212 moving along an axis.

That is, when the tube flaring element 10 connects with the second assembling portion 212, both the tube flaring element 10 and the second assembling portion 212 will move along the axis.

With regard to the use this invention, a tube 70 (such as a copper tube) is placed in the clamping channel 32. Then, by adjusting the adjusting portion 42, the distance between the blocks 31 can be adjusted, so that the tube 70 can be fixed in the clamping channel 32 (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the user rotates the first seat 20 to an angle, so the fast engaging portion 22 can be moved to the loosed position P2 which is positioned between these two matching portions 43. The tube flaring element 10 can pass through the through hole 44.

Referring to FIG. 6, the user rotates the first seat 20 about 90 degrees, so the fast engaging portion 22 moves to the engaged position P1. Under this condition, the engaging recesses 221 contact with the matching portions 43. Further, the first seat and the second seat 40 are combined due to the pair of limiting portions 45. As shown in FIG. 7, the user rotates the turnable portion 211, so that the tube flaring element 10 moves towards the tube 70 for starting the tube flaring procedure. As illustrated in FIGS. BA and 8B, the tube flaring element 10 moves from a first position P11 to a second position P12.Therefore, one end of the tube 70 is pressed by the working portion 12 of the tube flaring element 10. Thus, the diameter of the tube 70 is expanded in the working space 33.

Based on the above description, about the engaging process for the first seat 20 and the second seat 40, the user only needs to rotate the first seat 20 to a predetermined angle and then move the fast engaging portion 22 to the loosed position P2. Next, the user rotates the first seat 20 about 90 degrees. Finally, the first seat 20 and the second seat 40 can be combined together. That is, only one rotation is needed to achieve the combination of the first seat 20 and the second seat 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the engaging recess 221 has one end. A protruded portion 221A (such as a circular protruded portion) is disposed on the end of the engaging recess 221 so as to prevent disengagement of the engaging recess 221 and the matching portion 43.

FIGS. 1 OA, I OB, and 1 OC show the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. In which, the pushing force generator 21 has a channel 214, a small-diameter piston 215, and a large-diameter piston 216. The channel 214 includes a threaded hole portion 214A, a small-diameter hole portion 214B, a fluid storage portion 214C, and a large-diameter hole portion 214D. The small-diameter piston 215 is fitted with and is able to slide in the small-diameter hole portion 214B.

This fluid storage portion 214C is filled with a hydraulic fluid 60. The large-diameter piston 216 is fitted with and is able to slide in the large-diameter hole portion 214D.

One end of the large-diameter pistons 216 contacts with the hydraulic fluid 60. A resilient element 216A is disposed between the other end of the large-diameter piston 216 and the large-diameter hole portion 214D. When the user rotates the turnable portion 211, the threaded rod 211A pushes the small-diameter piston 215.

Meanwhile, the hydraulic fluid 60 in the fluid storage portion 214C forces the large-diameter piston 216 moving so as to push the second assembling portion 212.

When the user rotates the turnable portion 211 backwards, the resilient force of the resilient element 216 would push the large-diameter piston 216 back to a predetermined position. As shown in FIG. bC, when the user rotates, this user should apply certain force to rotate the turnable portion 211 and then the threaded rod 211A moves forward. Thus, it presses the small-diameter piston 215 moving from a third position P13 to a fourth position P14. Therefore, the hydraulic fluid 60 fluid storage portion 214C would push the large-diameter piston 216 moving from a fifth position P15 to a sixth position P16.So, it can achieve the function of pushing the tube flaring element 10 forward and then it can expand the tube 70 (to conduct the tube flaring work). On the contrary, if the user rotate the turnable portion 211 in a reversed direction, the front end of the threaded rod 211A will move back (from the condition in FIG. 1OC to the condition in FIG. lOB).

Furthermore, the second preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes the Pascal's principle. When a force is applied on the small-diameter piston 215, the same pressure is transmitted to the large-diameter piston 216. Because the pressure is equal to the force divided by the area, the user can apply a smaller input force on the small-diameter piston 215 and then the large-diameter piston 216 can generate a larger output force.

As depicted in FIGS. bA, lOB, and bC, the second preferred embodiment of the present invention further include a fitting portion 80. The pushing force generator 21 further comprises a sliding portion 217, a first stopper 218, and a second stopper 219. This fitting portion 80 contains a pivoting portion 81 and at least one blocking pin 82 (there two in FIG. bA, at least one is enough). The pivoting portion 81 is pivoted on the turnable portion 211. The blocking pins 82 are disposed between the first stopper 218 and the second stopper 219. The fitting portion 80 is slidable on the slinding portion 217. Its movable region is limited by the first stopper 218 and the second stopper 219. Therefore, the fitting portion 80 can limit axial movable scope of the turnable portion 211 so as to avoid the turnable portion 211 separating from the threaded hole portion 214A.

In addition, when the user rotates the turnable portion 211 reversely, the front end of the threaded rod 211A moves backwards (from the condition in FIG. 1OC to the condition in FIG. lOB). If the user continues to rotate further, because the blocking pins 82 of the fitting portion 80 blocks the surface of the first stopper 218, the first seat 20 and the fitting portion 80 becomes a combined structure temporarily. Under such circumstances, the first seat 20 will be rotated out. Furthermore, such rotating movement would make the fast engaging portion 22 rotating out (becoming a separated condition; from the condition in FIG. 6 into the condition in FIG. 5). Also, because the movable scope of the blocking pins 82 are limited by the first stopper 218 and the second stopper 219, the threaded rod 2llAand the fithng portion 80 will not separate from the threaded hole portion 214A.

The advantages and functions of the present invention can be summarized as follows.

[1] The detaching/installing movement is simple and fast. About the operation of the conventional tube flaring device 90, the threaded rod 92 has to be screwed with the seat 91. Its detaching/installing movement is pretty inconvenient and time-consuming. However, about this invention, by utilizing the design of the engaging recesses 221 and the matching portions 43, the user only need to take one rotating step for the first seat so as to conduct the combination or separation of the first seat 20 and the second seat 40. Therefore, the detaching/installing movement is simple and fast.

[2] The flaring element can be replaced easily. Regarding the conventional tube flaring device 90, if the user wants to replace the flaring part 94, one adjusting part 931 has to be separated. After which, the seat 91 can be removed from the rail 933.

Finally, the seat 91 and the tube fixer 93 are separated so that the flaring part 94 can be replaced. However, such procedure is quite inconvenient, complicated, and time-consuming. But, concerning this invention, only one rotating step is required to detach the first seat 20. Then, the flaring part 94 can be replaced. Therefore, the flaring element can be replaced easiIy [3] The structure is simple. About the design of this invention, the fast detaching or instaljing process can be achieved by the engaging recesses 43 and the matching portions 43. Therefore, the structure is simple.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention by the appended claims. f0

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fast engaging tube flaring device comprising: a tube flaring element having a first assembling portion and a working end; a first seat including a pushing force generator and a fast engaging portion; said pushing force generator having a turnable portion and a second assembling portion, said second assembling portion moving along an axis driven by a turning of said turnable portion, said second assembling portion being provided for connecting said first assembling portion of said tube flaring element; said fast engaging portion having a pair of engaging recesses, each engaging recess having an opening direction, said directions of said engaging recesses are substantially opposite; a tube fixing portion including a pair of blocks, a clamping channel, and a working space; said clamping channel being provided for clamping a tube, said clamping channel communicating with said working space; a second seat including a positioning portion, an adjusting portion, a pair of matching portions, a through hole, and a pair of limiting portions; said positioning portion being disposed with said tube fixing portion, said adjusting portion being provided for adjusting a distance between said pair of blocks so as to adjust said clamping channel and said working space; said matching portions being provided for matching with said engaging recesses, said limiting portions being disposed on upper ends of said matching portions; said fast engaging portion having an engaged position and a loosed position, wherein when said fast engaging portion is at said engaged position, said engaging recesses contact with said matching portions and said first seat and said second seat are combined due to the pair of limiting portions; when said fast engaging portion is (1 at said loosed position, said engaging recesses separate from said matching portions so that said first seat and said second seat are separated.
2. A fast engaging tube flaring device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said engaging recess has one end, a protruded portion is disposed on said end of the engaging recess so as to prevent disengagement of said engaging recess and said matching portion.
3. A fast engaging tube flaring device as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising a fitting portion, said fitting portion containing a pivoting portion and at least one blocking pin; said pushing force generator including a sliding portion, a first stopper, and a second stopper; said pivoting portion being pivoted on the turnable portion, said blocking portions being disposed between said first stopper and said second stopper, so that said fitting portion is slidable on said sliding portion and its movable region is limited by said first stopper and the second stopper.
4. A fast engaging tube flaring device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures Ito 10 of the accompanying drawings.