US2225272A - Automatic copper tube cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17, 1940. E HORNE 2,225,272

AUTOMATIC COPPER TUBE CLEANER Filed June 20, 1938 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to tube cleaners, and has for its primary object to provide a simple and elfective tool which will remove the burs and roughness on the end of a tube made in cutting 5' the tube to a required size. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide a tube cleaner that will automatically clean and remove burs, whether said burs occur on the outer surface or on the inner surface thereof, with means also provided to govern the amount of tube cleaned.

The herein described invention finds its greatest usage in cleaning copper tubes that are used with sweat type solder fittings and includes a circular plate rotatably mounted on a shaft, which shaft may be driven by any desired means. Mounted on the plate in spaced relation are a plurality of bearing members which slidably support the cleaning elements for cleaning the outer .surfaces of the tube. A steel cone having an abrasive surface is mounted centrally of the plate and is adapted to effectively clean and remove burs from the inner surface of the tube. The steel cone is also adapted to govern the amount of surface cleaned depending upon the diameter of the tube and its position on the cone.

In order to facilitate a fuller and more complete understanding of the matter of the present invention, a specific embodiment thereof will be hereinafter described, it being clearly understood, however, that the illustrated embodiment of the invention is given solely by way of example, and is essentially non-limitative upon the scope of the invention, except as expressed in the sub- 35' joined claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the new and improved tube cleaner and illustrating the brush in position for cleaning a tube.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through one of the cleaning elements and taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description thereof, it will be noted that there is provided a circular plate 5 mounted for rotation on the end of a shaft 6, the shaft being adapted to be rotated by any desired means. It is to be understood that the circular plate and shaft may be integrally formed or the individual parts united by any preferred means. Mounted on the plate 5 and in spaced relation thereto are a plurality of bearing members 1, said members projecting laterally from the face of the plate and secured thereto by welding or other similar means. The

bearing members! are provided for adjustably supporting the cleaning elements for removing and cleaning the burs from the outer surface of the tube. Referring particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawing, it will be noted that an arm 8. is dis- 5 posed within each member 1 and supports at its lowermost end a cleaning element in the form of a brush 9. The arms 8 extend parallel with the face of the plate 5 and, are vertically movable within the openings formed in the members 1. 1 For preventing accidental dislodgement of the arms 8 from the members 7, there is provided a cotter pin or the like In disposed in the upper end of each arm.

As afore indicated, the cleaning elements in the 5 form of brushes are supported on the lower ends of the arms 8 and said brushes are mounted in backing strips ll secured to the arm 8. It is to be understood that the bristles of the brushes 8 are to be formed of a material that will readily clean the surfaces of copper tubes and the like.

An adjusting plate I2 is also carried by each arm 8 and is attached thereto by means of a pin l3, and referring to Fig. 3 of the drawing, it will be noted that the lowermost portion of the adjusting plate extends above the bristles 9. It is the purpose of the plates l2 to contact the tube when it is inserted and to thereby raise the brush while centering and positioning the work. The adjusting plates I2, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, are formed with a curved front surface [4 which facilitates its sliding contact withthe inserted tube l5. In other words, as the tube is inserted, the end thereof will first contact the curved surfaces I 4 of the plates l2, and further insertion of the tube will cause the plates l2 and arms 8 to be raised carrying with them the brushes 9. When the tube is finally positioned for cleaning, the brushes 9 will rest against the outer surface thereof and the plates l2 will be out of engagement with the tube.

A coil spring l6 encircles each arm 8 and is positioned between the pin l3 and member 7 respectively. The coil spring l0 exerts a constant pressure downwardly on the cleaning elements 9 5 thereby assuring constant contact of the brushes with the tube.

As hereinbefore pointed out, in the cutting of the tubes, burs quite frequently occur on the inner surface and end thereof and the present invention provides a means of cleaning and removing the inner surface burs simultaneously with the cleaning of the outer surface. The means for accomplishing this purpose includes a steel cone l6 attached to the inner surface of the plate 5 andpreierably disposed in the central portion thereof. The cone I6 is provided with stepped inner surface of the circular plate 5. Should a size smaller tube be cleaned the same would rest upon the middle step and in view of the width of each step, the smaller the tube being worked upon the smaller the amount of outer surface being cleaned. This feature is readilyunderstandable from an inspection of the drawing.

It may be desired to house the various Working parts of the device and for accomplishing this purpose there is provideda protecting plate l8 preferably circular in cross section and attached to the plate 5 by any desired means. The plate l8 forms a housing, thus protecting the various parts from dirt and injury,

Fromthe above description it is believed that the operation of the device is readily. apparent. A tube I5 is inserted between the plates l2 which will raise the brushes, against the tension of the springs it, until said tube is in abutting relation with the face of the plate. After-the tube has been positionedon the:cone I6, the circular plate 5 through the shaft 6 is rotated carrying with it the brushes 9 and cone l6. Constant rotation will effectively remove bursand the like from the outer and inner surfaces of the tube, thereby preparing the same for a sweat type solder fitting.

It is to be understood that this improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein asdo not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceedthe scope thereof pressed in the appended claims.

What I claim as new is:

1. A tube cleaner of the character described comprising, a plate, means for rotating said plate, means carried by and extending laterallyof said platejfor slidably supportinggcleaning elements in spaced relation thereon, means for guiding the tube into position for cleaning,'means for mainas extaining said cleaning elements and guide means in contact with the tube being cleaned, an abrasive element coaxially related to the axis of rotation of said plate, with said plate rotating in a plane at right angles to the axis of the tube being cleaned, and means onrsaid abrasive element adapted to support one end of the tube and to clean the inner surface thereof.

l 2. A tube cleaner of thecharacter described rotation of said plate,-with saidplate rotating in a plane at right-angles tothe axis of the tube being cleaned, said abrasive'element being substantially cone-shaped with a'stepped surfaceior supporting one end of varioussized tubes and to clean the inner surface thereof; 1

EDWARD D. HORNE.

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