US3156285A - Apparatus for providing openings in a tubular work piece - Google Patents

Description

L. A. LAYNE Nov. 10, 1964 APPARATUS FOR PROVIDINGQPENINGS IN A TUBULAR WORK PIECE Filed March 31, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z eqV/e A. lay/7e 00%ENTOR. 7 BY ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1964 LJA. LAYNE APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING OPENINGS IN A TUBULAR WORK PIECE Filed March 51, 1960 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lea he A. lay/7e INVENTOR.

7 M1 (2 PW United States Patent Ofiice 3,1562% Patented Nov. 10, 1964 3,156,235 APPARATUS FOR PROVEDING OPENINGS IN A TUBULAR WGRK PIEQE Lesiie A. Layne, Houston, Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Layne 8: Bowler Inc, Memphis, Tenn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 31, 1960, Ser. No. 18,993 13 Claims. (Cl. 153-2) This invention relates to metal working apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for forming an axially extending series of openings in the wall of a tubular work piece. While not limited thereto, the invention has particular application to the production of well screen from heavy pipe.

Perforated tubular products have been made in various ways, many of which have received considerable acceptance in the trade. In many commercial applications, however, and especially in the case of heavy duty well screen and the like, it is desirable to make the product by forming perforations in the wall of a relatively thick, initially imperforate pipe. Thus, it has been proposed that the perforations be in the form of slots provided by sawing through the wall of the pipe. Considering that the perforated portion of the product is often of considerable axial length, so that a relatively large number of perforations are involved, it is obvious that provision of the perforations by the usual cutting methods is unduly laborious and expensive.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to devise an improved apparatus for forming an axially extending series of lateral openings in a tubular work piece, and particularly in a piece of heavy metal pipe, in a relatively simple and inexpensive manner.

Another object is to provide a particularly effective apparatus for producing well screen from heavy pipe.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus which is at least largely automatic in its operation, requiring only that the pipe or other work piece be properly placed in the apparatus and adjusted after the formation of each series of openings.

Yet another object is to provide, as a novel and improved product of manufacture, a louvered well screen.

In order that the manner in which these and other objects are attained, in accordance with the invention, can be understood in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and wherein;

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus, con structed in accordance with one particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, for making louvered well screen from pipe;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a rotary punch and die unit employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1, and a portion of pipe being operated on by such assembly, the view being enlarged in scale and taken along a plane extending axially of the pipe;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged pelspective view of means employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1 to engage an end portion of the pipe for pushing and pulling the same;

FIG. 4 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in transverse vertical section, of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View taken on line 5-5, FIG. 4, and showing certain parts of the apparatus in operative positions occupied thereby during punching of a pipe;

FIG. 6 is a view like FIG. 5 but showing certain parts, particularly including the punch roller, in retracted, inactive positions, and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective View, enlarged in scale, of a portion of louvered well screen made in accordance with the invention.

Turning now to the drawings in detail, and first to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the embodiment of the apparatus illustrated comprises an elongated, horizontally extending base frame 1, a combination punch support and actuator 2, a pipe guiding and supporting assembly 3, and a linear power actuator 4 for moving a pipe, such as pipe 5, axially through assembly 3.

As will be seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the support and actuator 2 comprises a cylinder 6 rigidly secured to base frame 1, as by mounting structure 7, in such manner as to extend horizontally toward assembly 3. At its free end, cylinder 6 has rigidly secured thereto a pair of parallel arms 8 spaced apart in a horizontal plane. A shaft 9 is carried by and extends between the free end portions of arms 8, the axis of shaft 9 being horizontal, at right angles to and intersecting the axis of cylinder 6. Mounted on shaft 9 in any suitable manner for pivotal movement about the axis of the shaft are an upper pair of horizontally spaced links or arms 10 and a lower pair of horizontally spaced links 11. Links or arms 10 carry the rotary punch roller 12, shaft 13 of the roller 12 being journalled in the free end portions of links 163 and projecting siightly therebeyond. Similarly carried by links 11 is an idler roller 14, the roller 14 being free to turn on a shaft 15 and there being a space between each end of the roller and the adjacent link 11.

A portion of cylinder 6 defines the working chamber of a reciprocatory fluid pressure actuated motor having a piston (not shown) secured to a piston rod 16 extending coaxially within cylinder 6 and projecting beyond the free end thereof so as to have its free end disposed between arms 8. Secured to the free end of piston rod 16 is a block 17 of rectangular transverse cross-section. A shaft 18, parallel to and lying in a common plane with shaft 9, extends through block 17, the ends of shaft 18 each projecting into a different one of two horizontally extending guide and limit slots 19 provided in arms 8.

A horizontally spaced pair of toggle links 20 are journalled each on a different end portion of the shaft 13 of punch roller 12, the free ends of toggle links 20 being provided with semi-circular notches in which shaft 18 is engaged. A second horizontally spaced pair of toggle links 21 are journalled on shaft 15 of idler roller 14, the free end portions of toggle links 21 also being provided with semi-circular notches in which shaft 18 is engaged. As seen in FIG. 4, corresponding ones of toggle links 29 and 21 lie in common planes and the free end portions thereof are laterally confined between one of the arms 8 and one of the washers 22, the latter abutting the side faces of block 17.

Linear movement of piston rod 16 to the left, as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6, causes punch roller 12 and idler roller 14- to move toward the axis of cylinder 6, and thus to the retracted or inactive positions seen in FIG. 6. Linear movement of piston rod 16 in the opposite direction causes punch roller 12 and idler roller 14 to move away from the axis of cylinder 6 to the active positions shown in FIG. 5. Such movement is limited by the length of slots 19 and the slots 19 thus determine the active and inactive positions for the punch roller and idler roller. Also, the free ends of toggle links 2%) and 21 are provided with faces 23 which abut when rollers 12 and 14 are in their inactive positions and faces 24 which abut when rollers 12 and 14 are in their active positions, as

FIGS. 5 and 6, to freely accommodate the pipe 5. Mounted on plate 2 5 above pipe 5 and for sliding movement radially with respect to the pipe is a flat carrier member 28. Such mounting is accorn lished by spaced retaining and guide members 29 secured to and having flanges 39 which, in cooperation with the face of plate 25, define straight guide slots in which the straight, parallel edges 31 of carrier member 28 are slidably disposed.

Mounted on carrier member 23 for rotation about an axis extending transversely of and at right angles to the axis of cylinder 6 is a combination die and guide roller 32. The shaft 33 of roller 32. is journalled in the ends of parallel arms 34 which are fixet to carrier member ZS and project therefrom parallel to the axis of cylinder 6. The main body of roller is provided with teeth having tips or crests which curve, axially of the roller, to correspond with the transverse curvature of the wall of the pipe 5, as seen in FIG. 4. At each end of the teeth 36 may be a wheel (or a wheel-like portion 35 of roller 32) disposed for rolling engagement with the outer surface of pipe 5.

The edge 37 of carrier member 23 adjacent pipe 5 is similarly curved and is so located, with respect to the position of roller 32 that, when wheels 35 are in rolling contact with the outer surface of the pipe, edge 37 is spaced from the pipe. As appears in F165. 4 and 6, the diameters of wheels 35 are such that, when the wheels engage the pipe, the tips or crests of teeth 35 will engage the pipe.

At its upper edge, plate 25 carries a nut A screw 39 extends downwardly through nut 38 and is connected at its end to the upper edge portion of carrier member 28 in a manner allowing free rotation of the screw relative to the carrier member. Extending parallel to guide members 29, screw 39 is fixed to and supports a hand wheel 40, and rotation of the hand wheel accordingly turns the screw in nut 33 to adjust the position of carrier member 23.

Mounted on plate 25 in the same general manner as carrier member 23 are slide blocks :1, 42 and 43, block 41 being disposed below opening 2?, so as to be diametrically opposed across the pipe 5 with respect to member 28, and blocks 4.2 and 43 being located each on a difiierent side of the pipe, as shown. Idler rollers 44, $5 and are rotatably mounted on slide blocks 4-1, :2 and 43, respectively, each for rotation about an axis spaced from and at right angles to the axis of cylinder 6. Slide blocks 41, 42 and 43 are equipped with adjusting screws 47, 43 and 49, respectively, each extending radially relative to the axis of cylinder 6.

Properly adjusted, as to radial position, by hand wheel 49 and screws 47, 4-8 and 4-9, wheels 35 and idler rollers 44, 45 and 46 are effective to support the pipe 5, or a like work piece, in a position such that the longitudinal axis of the work coincides with the axis of cylinder 6. So supported, pipe 5 can be moved axially through assembly 3 by operation of actuator 4.

The actuator 4 comprises a hydraulic or oth r fluid pressure actuated reciprocatory power device including a cylinder 50, a piston 51 operatively disposed therein, an elongated piston rod 52 projecting from cylinder 5% toward assembly 3 and parallel to frame 1. The power device is rigidly mounted on frame 1 in any suitable fashion, as by mounting block 53 and inverted U-clamps 54. Fixed to and depending from piston rod 52 is a rigid supporting member 55 rotatably carrying, at its lower end, at least one wheel 56 arranged to travel along the upper horizontal edge of a beam 57 of frame ll. The arrangement of the power device is such that the longitudinal axes of piston rods 52 and 16 coincide.

Secured to the free end of piston rod 52 in any suitable fashion is a pusher head indicated generally at 53 and shown in detail in FIG. 3. Head 58 includes a hollow cylindrical body 59, the wall thickness of body 53 being decreased at the tip thereof to provide a transverse annular shoulder at disposed for engagement with the end of pipe 5 nearest cylinder 50. Tip portion 61, of reduced outer diameter, is dimensioned for insertion within pipe 5. At diametrically opposed points, body 53 is provided with notches 62 of such size and shape as to accommodate the ends of arms 8. In this connection, it will be noted from FIGS. 5 and 6 that the ends of arms 3 are disposed in the same transverse plane as the face of plate 25 directly toward cylinder and that opening 27 is sufficiently large to accommodate head 53.

Tip portion 61 of head 53 is also provided with an axially opening notch 63 accommodating the serrated cam locking head 6-4 of a locking lever 65 mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of a shaft 66 carried by st orts 67, the pivotal axis of lever 65 extending chordwise of the circular cross-section of body 59. lawardly of its pivotal mounting, lever 65 includes a finger portion disposed for engagement with a stationary part or" the apparatus, such as shaft Q, as the piston rod approaches the end of its travel in a direction away from cylinder 53.

At the start of a cycle of operation of the apparatus, the work such as pipe 5 is inserted axially into opening 27 until an end portion thereof is engaged and supported by wheels 35 and idler rollers 44, 45 and as. Piston rod 53 is moved to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1, until tip portion 61 is disposed in the adjacent end of pipe 5 and that end of the pipe is in engagement with shoulder At this stage, lever "65 is so disposed that head 64 thereof is not in locking engagement with the inner wall surface of the pipe. At the end of the work stroke of the apparatus (movement of piston rod 52 to the left, as viewed in FIG 1), finger portion of the lever encounters shaft 9, or an equivalent fixed par of the apparatus, and slight further movement of the piston rod 52, in completing the work stroke then causes lever 65 to be pivoted in a direction causing serrated head 64 to come into locking engagement with the pipe. Because of such locking engagement, movement of piston rod 52 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, causes pipe 5 to be drawn back, through assembly 3, to its initial position. Lover 65 is then actuated manually to release the pipe from the head, this being accomplished, for example, by inserting a tool axially into head 58 from the end thereof to which piston rod 52 is attached.

The teeth 69" of punch roller 12 and the teeth 36 of die roller 32 are identical in size and shape. Referring to FIG. 2 in which it is seen that the tip or crest of tooth 69 of punch roller 12 is disposed on a radius of the roller, the tooth can be considered as having a long side 69*, converging toward said radius at a larger angle, and a shorter side 6%, converging toward said radius from the opposite side at a smaller angle. The arrangement is such that when an end of pipe 5 is in place in assembly 3 and piston rod 15 is actuated to the right, as viewed in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, to its extreme position, so that links it) and 21 are aligned, as seen in FIG. 5, the punch teeth 69 protrude through the wall of the pipe, with the tips of the teeth being spaced outwardly from the outer wall surface of the pipe by a distance A, FIG. 2, which distance is chosen, in design of the teeth, to provide the desired louver opening.

As seen in PPS. 5, means including pawls 7t) and 71 is provided to maintain a definite positional relationship between the teeth of die roller 32 and the teeth 69 of punch roller 12. Pawl 70 is pivotally carried by a pair of arms 72 secured to and projecting from plate 2 5 above the die roller. Thus, pawl '79 depends into operative engagement with the die roller teeth, having a pointed tip disposed between adjacent ones of teeth 36. A spring biased plunger '73 engages pawl Til to urge the same to a definite reference position. Pawl '71 is slidably carried by one of the arms lit and has a pointed tip disposed for engagement between adjacent ones of the teeth 69 of punch roller 12. In eifect, the two pawls maintain the punch and die rollers in such rotational position that their teeth will mesh when the punch roller is moved from the inactive position of FIG. 6 to the active position of FIG. 5.

Accordingly, when the end of pipe 5 has been inserted so that a wall portion thereof is disposed between the punch and die rollers, actuation of the punch roller from the position of FIG. 6 to the position of FIG. 5 causes teeth of the punch roller to punch through the wall portion of the pipe in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. One such tooth will act at this time to form completely one of the desired louvers 74. In this action, the one tooth of the punch roller is positionally opposed by a tooth of the die roller, the long sides of the two opposed teeth being parallel and spaced apart by a distance equal to the wall thickness of pipe 5, the portion of the pipe wall constituting such one louver 74 thus being clamped between the long sides of the teeth when the louver is completed.

Axial movement of pipe 5 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1, causes simultaneous rotation of punch roller 12 and die roller 32 in opposite directions, so that each tooth 69 of the punch roller punches out a louver 74, the louvers being formed in a series extending axially of the pipe.

Mounted on the side of beam member 57 adjacent support 26 is a limit switch 75 having a pivoted actuating member 76 disposed for engagement by wheel 56. Switchv 7 is connected in suitable electrical circuit means (not shown) arranged to control actuator 4 in such fashion that, when actuating member 76 is depressed by wheel 56 during movement of head 58 and pipe 5 to the left, actuator 4, and therefore pipe 5, are stopped. The position of switch 75 is so chosen that pipe 5 will be stopped when the series of louvers formed by the punch and die rollers is of the desired length. Actuator 4 is thereupon reversed, advantageously through electrical control means dominated by switch 75. Since lever 65 has been actuated, by contact with shaft 9, to lock pipe 5 to head 53, the pipe is drawn back through assembly 3 during the return movement of piston rod 52 and is accordingly returned to its initial position. Advantageously, actuation of switch 75 is also employed, through suitable electrical control means, to operate actuator 2 in such fashion that piston rod 15 is moved to the left, as viewed in PEG-S. 5 and 6, so that punch roller 12 and idler roller 114 are withdrawn from contact with the wall of the pipe 5 before the return movement of the pipe commences. The return movement of pipe 5 is advantageously terminated through the action of a second limit switch, not shown, suitably located for contact by wheel :76. Upon completion of the return movement of pipe 5, the pipe is manually released from head 53, rotated to bring punch roller 12 and die roller 32 into alignment With an unworked portion of the wall of the pipe. Actuator 2 is then energized to move piston rod 16 to the right, so causing punch roller 2 to be moved to the position seen in FIG. 6. A complete cycle of operation of actuator 4 is then effected, providing another axially extending series of louvers 74. Such operations are continued until, if desired, the entire Wall of pipe 5 has been louvered.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, it will be seen that each louver 7 has an open mouth disposed entirely outside of the inner diameter of pipe 5 and defined by side edges 74 and a top edge 74*. The outer wall 74 of the louver conforms in shape to the long side 69 of one of the punch roller teeth 69. End walls 74 of the louver conform to the ends of the tooth 69 forming the louver. From FIGS. 2 and 7, it will be evident that, while the sharp crest or point w of each tooth 69 causes a shearing of the wall of the pipe, so that free edges 74 and 74 are formed, the body of the louver is formed by what is, in essence, a metal drawing operation.

Though the first louvers 74 of any radial series are punched as a result of actuation of punch roller 12 from the inactive position of FIG, 6 to the active position of FIG. 5, the remaining louvers of the series are punched as the pipe is forced axially through assembly 3, such movement of the pipe causing rotation of rollers 12 and 52 and each tooth 69 forming one louver during each rotation of the punch roller.

1n the embodiment of the invention illustrated, teeth 69 of punch roller 12 and teeth 36 of die roller 32 have been shown and described as having a triangular transverse cross-section, with the side surfaces of the teeth being fiat. It is to be understood, however, that the teeth 69 and 36 can have other cross-sectional shapes. Thus, the long sides of teeth 69 can be slightly convex and the long sides of teeth 36 correspondingly concave, to provide wall portion 74 of the louvers with a shape curving slightly in a direction axially of the pipe. Similarly, the crests 69 instead of being sharply pointed, can present a plane surface of limited extent extending generally circumferentially of the punch roller.

During actuation of the punch roller from its inactive position (FIG. 6) to its active position, idler roller 14 comes into contact with the wall of the pipe at a point diametrically opposed to the wall area engaged by the punch roller. Thus, radial forces involved in the punching operation and directed inwardly are opposed via the idler roller, and excessive radial strains on piston rod 16, block 17 and arms 8 are avoided.

The maximum length of an axially extending series of louvers which can be made by the apparatus is of course determined by the maximum stroke of actuator 4. For convenience in handling pipes or like work pieces of various lengths, provision is made for changing the longitudinal position of assembly 3 on frame 1. Thus, supports 26 are bolted to beam member 57, as at 77, and the frame member is provided with a series of bolt holes 78 sufficient to allow the assembly 3 to be secured in any of various longitudinal positions.

Actuators 2 and 4 both can be powered from a single source of fluid under pressure. Thus, the apparatus can include a sump '79, FIG. 1, for containing a supply of hydraulic fluid, a pump 80 driven by an electrical motor 81, and suitable piping 82 connected to the cylinders 6 and 50 to provide complete hydraulic circuits, suitable electromagnetically actuated control valves (not shown) being employed to control the distribution of fluid under pressure from the pump.

While it is possible to make screens with the louvers on either inside or outside of the pipe, the preferred screen in accordance with this invention has the louvers on the outside so that the louvers do not interfere with tools which are being worked inside the screen. In fact a preferred screen is made with even the innermost edge of each louver about 1 inch enlarged from the normal internal diameter maintained by the wheels 35 during the punching, the punch roller 12 and the die roller teeth 36 with adjacent wheels 35 being dimensioned to form the louvers with the desired shape and opening as well as internal clearance.

It is understood that various changes and modifications in the apparatus here illustrated and described can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, alternative to idler rollers 14 and 44 there may be used a second punch roller and second die roller. Also, in lieu of or in addition to idler rollers 45 and 46 on the outside of the pipe, internal idler rollers similar to roller 14 may be used, or in large sizes of pipe additional punch and die rollers may be used to permit punching of several rows of louvers in one pass down the length of the pipe. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed as illustrative only and is not to be construed as a limitation upon the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for providing a tubular work piece with an axially extending series of lateral openings, the combination of means for supporting a tubular work piece for axial movement and for restraining the same against movement transverse to its axis, a toothed punch roller of such size as to enter the work piece without engaging the inside walls; means for supporting said punch roller out of engagement with the inside walls within the work piece for rotation about an axis transverse to the axis of the work piece and for bodily movement in a direction to bring the teeth of said roller into engagement with the wall of the work piece, first actuating means connected to said roller for effecting such bodily movement to cause at least one tooth of said roller to penetrate the wall of the work piece, and second actuating means for moving the work piece axially while said roller is restrained by said first actuating means against further bodily movement.

In an appanatus for providing a tubular work piece with an axially extending series of lateral openings, the combination of means for supporting a tubular work piece for axial movement and for restraining the same against movement transverse to its axis, a toothed punch roller of such size as to enter the work piece without engaging the inside walls, means for positioning said punch roller out of engagement with the inside walls within the work piece, first actuating means connected to said punch roller to shift the same bodily in a direction transverse to the axis of the work piece to cause at least one tooth of said punch roller to penetrate the wall of the work piece, the second actuating means for thereafter moving the work piece axially to cause rotation of said punch roller and thereby cause the teeth of said roller to penetrate the wall of the work piece successively.

3. In an apparatus for making a well screen from a length of pipe, the combination of means for supporting the pipe, a toothed punch roller of such size as to fit in the pipe without engaging the inside walls, support means extending into the pipe, means mounting said punch roller on said support means out of engagement with the pipe inside walls for movement generally transversely of the axis of the pipe and for rotation about an axis transverse to the axis of the pipe, power means connected to said punch roller for moving the same bodily outwardly into punching engagement with the wall of the pipe, and means for effecting relative movement between said support means and the pipe, axially of the pipe, to rotate said roller and cause its teeth to successively punch the pipe.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 and further comprising a toothed die roller, means supporting said die roller outside of the pipe for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said punch roller, said die roller being located to mesh with said punch roller when the latter is moved into punching engagement with the wall of the pipe.

5. In an apparatus for providing an axially extending series of louvers in the wall of a tubular work piece, the combination of a punch roller and a die roller unit mounted for rotation about spaced parallel axes, both of said rollers having teeth which are elongated in the direction of said axes, generally triangular in transverse crosssection and having a longer and a shorter cross-sectional side, the teeth of said punch roller facing those of said die roller unit, and means for effecting relative movement between said punch roller and said die roller unit in a direction to bring said teeth into mesh.

6. In an apparatus for providing an axially extending series of openings in the wall of a tubular work piece, the combination of a punch roller mounted for rotation about a first axis and comprising radially projecting axially elongated punching teeth; a die roller unit comprising a die roller mounted for rotation about a second axis and including radially projecting axially elongated his.

teeth, said die roller unit also including a pair of wheels disposed each at a different end of said die roller, said wheels having a greater diameter than the maximum diameter of said die roller, the space between said wheels being greater than the axial length of said punch roller; means mounting said punch roller and said die roller unit with said second axis parallel to said first axis and with said punch roller centered with respect to said wheels, and actuating means for moving at least one of said punch roller and die roller units in a direction to decrease the space between said axes whereby, when a tubular work piece is disposed with a portion of its wall between said rollers, said wheels can be brought into engagement with the work piece and teeth of said punch roller can be caused to penetrate such wall portion.

7. In an apparatus for providing an axially extending series of openings in the wall of a tubular work piece, the combination of an elongated frame; means mounted on said assembly for supporting a tubular work piece for axial movement longitudinally of said frame; a first linear power device including means engageable with one end of the work piece for effecting said movement of the work piece; a toothed punch roller; punch roller supporting and actuating means mounted on said frame and projecting into the other end of the work piece, said punch roller being mounted on said supporting and actuating means for rotation about an axis extending transversely of the work piece, said supporting and actuating means being operative to move said punch roller from an inactive pos .ion to an active position in which at least one tooth of the roller projects through the wall of the york piece; and a toothed die roller carried by said frame, said die roller being mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said punch roller with its teeth disposed to coact with the teeth of said punch roller when the latter is in said active position.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and wherein said supporting and actuating means comprises a second inear power device including a cylinder and a piston rod aligned coaxialy with the work piece, and toggle means mounting said punch roller, said toggle means being carried by said cylinder and operatively connected to said piston rod.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and wherein said means engageable with one end of the work piece is a pusher head including a latch for securing the work piece to the pusher head, said latch being movable from an initially inactive position to a latching position and being so mounted on the pusher head as to be moved to its latching position by contact with a fixed part of the apparatus during operation of said first power device to move the work piece toward said second power device.

10. In an apparatus for providing an axially extending series of openings in the wall of a tubular work piece, the combination of an elongated frame; means mounted on said assembly for supporting a tubular work piece for axial movement longitudinally of said frame; a fluid pressure-operated power device comprising a clyinder and a piston rod, said cylinder being fixed to said frame and said piston rod disposed to project into one end of the work piece; a pair of arms fixed to said cylinder and disposed each on a different side of said piston rod, said arms projecting beyond the end of said piston rod; a shaft carried by the end portions of said arms; a toothed punch roller; an idler roller; toggle means supporting said rollers for rotation about parallel axes extending at right angles to said piston rod, said rollers being disposed each on a different side of the line of travel of said piston rod, said toggle means being supported by said shaft and connected to said piston rod, movement of said piston rod toward said shaft actuating said toggle means to move said rollers into operative engagement with transversely spaced portions of the wall of the work piece, whereby teeth of said punch roller can be caused to penetrate the wall of the work piece; and means for 9 moving the work piece axially past said rollers while said rollers are held in such operative engagement with the Work piece.

11. In an apparatus for providing a tubular Work piece with an axially extending series of lateral openings, the combination of means for supporting a tubular work piece for axial movement and for restraining the same against movement transverse to its axis, a toothed punch roller, means for supporting the same within the work piece for rotation about an axis transverse to the axis of the work piece and for bodily movement in a direction to bring the teeth of said roller into engagement with the Wall of the work piece, said support means including an idler roller mounted for rotation about an axis transverse to the axis of the Work piece, first actuating means connected to said roller for effecting such bodily movement to cause at least one tooth of said roller to penetrate the Wall of the Work piece and to cause said idler roller to be in load bearing contact with the Work piece onthe inside wall opposite said punch roller, and second actuating means for providing relative movement between the work piece and said punch roller axially of the work piece.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein said support means includes an expandable frame means having said punch roller mounted at one end and said References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,764,129 6/30 Trumble et al. 83-191 1,839,284 1/32 White 166227 1,884,143 10/32 Norquist 83-184 1,994,344 3/35 Harrington 166-227 2,185,337 1/40 Green 153-2 2,217,327 10/40 Zeidler l53-2 2,583,682 1/52 Celovsky 1532 2,600,254 6/52 Lysobey 83-178 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

WHITMORE A. WILTZ, BENJAMIN BENDE'IT,

Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A TUBULAR WORK PIECE WITH AN AXIALLY EXTENDING SERIES OF LATERAL OPENINGS, THE COMBINATION OF MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A TUBULAR WORK PIECE FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT AND FOR RESTRAINING THE SAME AGAINST MOVEMENT TRANSVERSE TO ITS AXIS, A TOOTHED PUNCH ROLLER OF SUCH SIZE AS TO ENTER THE WORK PIECE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE INSIDE WALLS; MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID PUNCH ROLLER OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE INSIDE WALLS WITHIN THE WORK PIECE FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS TRANSVERSE TO THE AXIS OF THE WORK PIECE AND FOR BODILY MOVEMENT IN A DIRECTION TO BRING THE TEETH OF SAID ROLLER INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WALL OF THE WORK PIECE, FIRST ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ROLLER FOR EFFECTING SUCH BODILY MOVEMENT TO CAUSE AT LEAST ONE TOOTH OF SAID

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