WO2010098834A2

WO2010098834A2 - Tubing manipulating appliances, utility tools and mounting adaptation for a nut driving tool and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2010098834A2
Application number: PCT/US2010/000523
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Wilson, Jr.; Brent A. Sigmon
Original assignee: American Power Tool Company
Priority date: 2009-02-25
Filing date: 2010-02-23
Publication date: 2010-09-02
Also published as: WO2010098834A3

Abstract

Adaptations, apparatus and methods are disclosed for associating various utility tools with a nut driving tool. The adaptation includes a receiver connectable to one side of the nut driving tool adjacent to a socket driver. A utility tool mounting body includes a base portion releasably engageable with the receiver and a station portion on the base portion releasably engageable with the selected utility tool. The utility tool of this invention includes a head having a mounting interface, the station portion releasably engageable with the mounting interface of the utility tool head. In one embodiment, the utility tool is reaction unit for engaging a nut or a fitting body. In other embodiments, utility tools and/or appliances for tubing locating, alignment and stabilizing, tube cutting, sawing, and/or bending, and/or grasping of adjacent fitting types or fitting sizes are provided.

Description

TUBING MANIPULATING APPLIANCES, UTILITY TOOLS AND MOUNTING ADAPTATION FOR A NUT DRIVING TOOL AND METHODS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to nut driving tools and methods and, more particularly, to associated appliances used on tube nut drivers .

Background of the Invention

Powered drivers, both pneumatic and electrical, for manipulation of various types of tools (such as sockets for threaded connectors) are widely utilized. In many applications, such as manipulation of threaded line fittings (i.e., unions or the like) found in all gas or liquid processing or delivery operations and assemblies, correct tightness of the fitting is critical to assure a sound connection and to avoid leakage (which may occur if line fittings are either over or under tightened thus damaging internal ferrules for example) . This precision can be adversely impacted by tubing damage and/or deformity. Moreover, a number of different types of operations and fabrication steps in addition to nut tightening and/or removal are often required to be performed in the field under various circumstances. Such operations have not always been well accommodated.

For example, in the past, torque reaction tools for nut drivers have relied on engagement with a polygonal feature of a fitting (see U.S. Patent Nos. 6,029,546 and 5,460,062) . In most cases reaction tool wrenches utilized are larger than the fitting of body feature they are engaging, often leading to difficulty in use of the driving and reaction tool pair, particularly where space is limited (as it often is in such installations) . Other reaction tools integrated with the nut driver body have been suggested and utilized, but have required reaction tool mounting features at both sides of the driver thus requiring additional clearance for tool use (see U.S. Patent No. 7,311,025). Moreover, adaptability of driving tools for use in performing other operations or fabrication steps, while suggested, could be better accommodated and is in need of improvement.

The tubing used in many types of gas/liquid processing or delivery installations in conjunction with threaded line fittings (sometimes called "swage" fittings) is usually made of steel, is often small diameter but relatively thick walled, and is thus particularly difficult to fabricate (cut, bend and the like) at an installation site. Tools specifically adapted to such fabrication have heretofore been utilized, thus requiring a technician to carry an extensive array of tools in addition to the nut driving tool utilized for line fitting manipulation. Cutting is an arduous and lengthy process requiring continuous tubing rotation or tubing cutting tool rotation around the steel tubing. Vices have heretofore often been required to hold the tubing during cutting to better assure precision. Even then the cutting process often damages the tubing, including tubing damage encountered at the position of engagement of the tubing in the vice. Moreover, the process is laborious and can cause installation technicians wrist, hand and back pain. Such operations are difficult to accomplish in the field, and thus often require offsite fabrication, a process which requires multiple trips to the installation or maintenance site and which is prone to fabrication error. Improvements in tubing cutting tools and techniques could thus be utilized.

Tubing bending is also arduous and time consuming, some installations requiring multiple intricate tubing bends in advance of the line fitting. Tubing damage is common during such fabrication. On site fabrication is difficult, time consuming and laborious utilizing heretofore known tubing bending tools and techniques. Improvement of such bending tools and techniques could thus also be utilized.

Summary of the Invention

This invention provides apparatus (various tools and adaptations) and methods for associating various utility tools with a nut driving tool. The apparatus accommodate precision facilities fabrication in the field while reducing damage and/or deformity to critical facility components (such as tubing, compression nuts/ferules and the like) . The apparatus and methods are well adapted to use with a highly diverse selection of utility tool types thus providing for multifarious fabricating options using a single tool driver. The apparatus, mounting and utility tools of this invention are conducive to use in limited space and are located at only one side of the driving tool. The appliances of this invention are interchangeable

(both in terms of tubing operation types such as cutting or bending and in terms of tubing size) and are operable in conjunction with a driving tool having a nut driving head. The appliances include tubing locating and stabilizing structure and securement for aligning and stabilizing the locating and stabilizing structure at one side of the driving tool adjacent to the nut driving head. A rotatable member is engagable at the nut driving head for selective rotation thereof relative to the tubing locating and stabilizing structure. The rotatable member provides in itself a separate useful appliance and includes a tubing engaging portion adapted to manipulate tubing received thereat in a selected manner and a faceted engagable portion receivable at the nut driving tool. The tubing manipulating appliance of this invention adapted for tubing cutting more particularly includes a tubing cutter including a selectively locatable cutting utility mounted adjacent the securement. The rotatable member is configured as a tubing rotation socket engagable at the nut driving head for selective rotation relative to the tubing cutter. The socket receives tubing thereat and holds the tubing for selective rotation thereof in at least one direction of rotation. The cutting appliance adaptation of the present invention preferably utilizes one way roller clutches to grip and thus rotate tubing presented at the cutter. As configured, an exact centerline is maintained relative to the driving tool while cutting operations are performed. The tubing manipulating appliance of this invention configured for tubing bending has the rotatable member configured for a different tubing manipulation and includes a socket end receivable at the nut driving head of the driving tool and a tubing guide end for receipt of tubing thereat. The tubing locating and stabilizing structure is adapted to receive tubing thereat and has an opening for receipt of the rotatable member therethrough. The adaptation of this invention accommodates mounting and positioning a selected utility tool at one side of a nut driving tool that has a main drive gear operationally associated with a socket driver. The adaptation includes a receiver connectable to the one side of the nut driving tool adjacent to the socket driver. A utility tool mounting body is receivable at the one side of the nut driving tool for utility tool positioning at a location relative to the socket driver, a base portion thereof being releasably engageable with the receiver and a station portion on the base portion releasably engageable with the selected utility tool.

The utility tool of this invention is maintainable entirely at one side of the nut driving tool and includes a head having a mounting interface. The base portion thereof is releasably engageable at the one side of the nut driving tool for utility tool positioning at a location relative to the socket driver, the station portion releasably engageable with the mounting interface of the utility tool head. In one embodiment, the utility tool is reaction unit for engaging a nut or a fitting body. Other embodiments provide utility tools for tube cutting, sawing, and/or bending, and/or grasping of adjacent fitting types or fitting sizes. The methods of this invention provide for adaptation of such nut driving tools for utilization and operation of any of a plurality of utility tools. The methods include releasably receiving a selected utility tool at one side of the nut driving tool in a receiver adapted to entirely reside at the one side of the nut driving tool adjacent to the socket driver. Movement of the selected utility tool is effected in conjunction with operation of the socket driver.

It is therefore a purpose of this invention to provide apparatus (various tools and adaptations) and methods for associating various utility tools with a nut driving tool.

It is another purpose of this invention to provide apparatus for associating various utility tools with a nut driving tool that accommodate precision facilities fabrication in the field while reducing damage and/or deformity to critical facility components.

It is still another purpose of this invention to provide apparatus and methods for associating various utility tools with a nut driving tool that are well adapted to use with a highly diverse selection of utility tool types.

It is yet another purpose of this invention to provide apparatus and methods for associating various utility tools with a nut driving tool that are conducive to use in limited space and are located at only one side of the driving tool.

It is still another purpose of this invention to provide apparatus and methods for use with nut driving tool that accommodate interchangeable use of utility tools including some or all of torque reaction units, tube cutting, sawing and/or bending units, and various units for grasping adjacent fitting types and/or sizes.

It is yet another purpose of this invention to provide tube cutting and/or bending appliances for use with nut driving tools that are simple to operate, that are self aligning, that are adaptable to a variety of tool types, that cover a range of tubing sizes, and that manipulate tubing with minimum tubing damage, scratch or imperfection .

It is another purpose of this invention to provide tubing cutting and/or bending appliances for use with nut driving tools that reduce the tool load required to be carried by a technician at an installation site, that are compact and light weight, that are stable in operation in conjunction with the driver, and that are easily adapted to a variety of driver types. It is still another purpose of this invention to provide an interchangeable tubing manipulating appliance operable in conjunction with a driving tool having a nut driving head that includes a tubing locating and stabilizing structure, means for aligned securement of the locating and stabilizing structure at one side of the driving tool and adjacent to the nut driving head, and means engagable at the nut driving head for selective rotation thereof relative to the tubing locating and stabilizing structure. It is yet another purpose of this invention to provide a tubing manipulating appliance for tubing cutting in association with a nut driving tool having a nut driving head that includes a tubing cutter including a selectively locatable cutting utility mounted adjacent structure for aligned securement of the cutter at one side of the driving tool, and a tubing rotation socket engagable at the nut driving head for selective rotation thereof relative to the tubing cutter, the socket configured to receive tubing thereat and hold the tubing for selective rotation thereof in at least one direction of rotation. It is another purpose of this invention to provide a tubing manipulating appliance for tubing bending in association with a nut driving tool having a nut driving head that includes a tubing manipulator having a socket end receivable at the nut driving head of the driving tool for selected rotation of the manipulator and a tubing guide end for receipt of tubing thereat, and a tubing locating and stabilizing structure securable at the driving tool adapted to receive tubing thereat, the structure having an opening for receipt of the manipulator therethrough.

It is yet another purpose of this invention to provide a tubing manipulating appliance for selected rotation by a nut driving tool that includes a tubing engaging portion adapted to manipulate tubing received thereat in a selected manner, and a faceted engagable portion associated with the tubing engaging portion for common rotation therewith in at least a first direction, the engagable portion receivable at the nut driving tool. It is yet another purpose of this invention to provide an adaptation for mounting and positioning a selected utility tool at one side of a nut driving tool having a main drive gear operationally associated with a socket driver, the adaptation including a receiver adapted for connection to the one side of the nut driving tool adjacent to the socket driver, and a utility tool mounting body receivable at the one side of the nut driving tool for utility tool positioning at a location relative to the socket driver, the mounting body including a base portion releasably engageable with the receiver and a station portion on the base portion releasably engageable with the selected utility tool. It is another purpose of this invention to provide a utility tool maintainable entirely at one side of a nut driving tool having a main drive gear operationally associated with a socket driver, the utility tool including a utility tool head having a mounting interface, and a mounting body including a base portion releasably engageable at the one side of the nut driving tool for utility tool positioning at a location relative to the socket driver, and a station portion on the base portion releasably engageable with the mounting interface of the utility tool head.

It is still another purpose of this invention to provide a utility tool maintainable entirely at one side of a nut driving tool having a main drive gear operationally associated with a socket driver, the utility tool including a reaction unit head having a mounting interface, the head for engaging a nut or a fitting body utility tool head, and a mounting body including a base portion releasably engageable at the one side of the nut driving tool for utility tool positioning at a location relative to the socket driver, and a station portion on the base portion releasably engageable with the mounting interface of the reaction unit head. It is yet another purpose of this invention to provide a method for adaptation of a nut driving tool having a main drive gear operationally associated with a socket driver for utilization and operation of any of a plurality of utility tools, the method including the steps of releasably receiving a selected one of the utility tools at one side of the nut driving tool in a receiver adapted to entirely reside at the one side of the nut driving tool adjacent to the socket driver, and effecting movement of the selected one of the utility tools in conjunction with operation of the socket driver.

With these and other purposes in view, which will become apparent to one skilled in the art as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination, adaptation and arrangement of parts and methods substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as come within the scope of the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings illustrate a complete embodiment of the invention according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view providing background of one type of nut driving tool with which this invention can be utilized; FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional view of the nut driving head of the tool of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view providing background regarding tube connection fittings found in a typical installation wherein this invention may be utilized;

FIGURE 4 is an assembled view of the fitting shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view a first embodiment of this invention; FIGURE 6 is an opposite perspective view of the embodiment of FIGURE 5; FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative adaptation of the embodiment of FIGURE 5; FIGURES 9 is an exploded detail view taken from

FIGURE 8;

FIGURES 10 through 12 illustrate operation of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 5 and/or 8;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of this invention including means for nut to body gap measurement;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of FIGURE 13 engaged;

FIGURE 15 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 16 is another exploded view of the embodiment of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 17 is a sectional view of the receiver of the embodiment of FIGURE 13; FIGURE 18 is a side view illustrating the receiver of the embodiment of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 19 is a side view illustrating latch operation at the receiver of the embodiment of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 20 is a perspective view of the reverse side of the latch and receiver shown in FIGURE 19;

FIGURES 21 and 22 are side view illustrations showing automatic operation of the latch illustrated in FIGURE 19;

FIGURE 23 is an exploded view of a utility tool mounting body of the adaptation of this invention adapted for use with the embodiment of FIGURE 13; FIGURE 24 is another exploded view of the embodiment of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 25 is a top view of the embodiment of FIGURE 13; FIGURE 26 is a another exploded view of the embodiment of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 27 is a sectional view of one portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 28 is another sectional view of the portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 13 shown in FIGURE 27;

FIGURES 29 and 30 are a top view illustrations showing operation of the embodiment of FIGURE 13;

FIGURES 31 and 32 are perspective views further illustrating operation of the embodiment of FIGURE 13; FIGURE 33 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of this invention for tubing cutting using a nut driving tool;

FIGURE 34 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIGURE 33; FIGURE 35 is an exploded view of the embodiment of

FIGURE 33;

FIGURE 36 is an opposite exploded view of the embodiment of FIGURE 33;

FIGURES 37 and 38 are side views of the embodiment of FIGURE 33 illustrating use thereof;

FIGURE 39 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of this invention for tubing bending using a nut driving tool;

FIGURE 40 is a second perspective view of the embodiment of FIGURE 39 illustrating operation thereof;

FIGURE 41 is a perspective view of the tool head portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 39; FIGURE 42 is an exploded view of the portion shown in FIGURE 41;

FIGURE 43 is another exploded view of the portion shown in FIGURE 41; FIGURE 44 is yet another exploded view of the portion shown in FIGURE 41;

FIGURE 45 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of this invention for tubing sawing using a nut driving tool; FIGURE 46 is a side view of the embodiment of FIGURE

45;

FIGURE 47 is a perspective view of the tool head portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 45;

FIGURE 48 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIGURE 45;

FIGURE 49 is an opposite exploded view of the embodiment of FIGURE 45;

FIGURE 50 is yet another exploded view of the embodiment of FIGURE 45; FIGURE 51 is a reverse exploded view from FIGURE 50;

FIGURES 52 and 53 are side views illustrating reciprocating movement of the saw blade of the embodiment of FIGURE 45;

FIGURE 54 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of this invention for rotary sawing of tubing using a nut driving tool;

FIGURE 55 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIGURE 54;

FIGURE 56 is a side view of the embodiment of FIGURE 54;

FIGURE 57 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIGURE 54; FIGURE 58 is another exploded view of the embodiment of FIGURE 54;

FIGURE 59 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of this invention for grasping different types and/or sizes of fittings adjacent to a nut driving tool;

FIGURE 60 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIGURE 59;

FIGURE 61 is a reverse perspective view of one portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 59; FIGURE 62 is an exploded view of the portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 59 shown in FIGURE 61;

FIGURE 63 is an alternative adaptation for mounting the embodiment of FIGURE 59;

FIGURE 64 is a perspective of another alternative adaptation of the embodiment of FIGURE 59 showing a different tool head;

FIGURE 65 is a perspective exploded view of the embodiment as illustrated in FIGURE 64;

FIGURE 66 is a reverse explode view of the embodiment as illustrated in FIGURE 64;

FIGURES 67 and 68 are perspective view showing use of the embodiment as illustrated in FIGURE 64 on different fitting types;

FIGURES 69 through 73 are flow charts illustrating program control of drivers and/or utility tools utilizing various ones of the embodiments of this invention;

FIGURE 74 is a perspective view of another type of nut driving tool with which the appliances of this invention can be utilized; FIGURE 75 is a partial sectional view of the nut driving head of the tool of FIGURE 74; FIGURE 76 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the interchangeable appliance (for tube cutting) of this invention;

FIGURE 77 is a second perspective view of the appliance of FIGURE 74 mounted on a nut driving tool and having tubing positioned therein for cutting;

FIGURE 78 is another perspective view of the appliance of FIGURE 76;

FIGURE 79 is an exploded view of the appliance of FIGURE 76;

FIGURE 80 is a sectional view of the appliance of FIGURE 76;

FIGURE 81 is a sectional view illustrating tubing position in the appliance of FIGURE 76; FIGURE 82 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the interchangeable appliance (for tube bending) of this invention;

FIGURE 83 is an exploded view of the appliance of FIGURE 82; FIGURE 84 is a perspective exploded view of portions of the tubing manipulator of the appliance of FIGURE 82 including an engagable socket, mounting wheel and part of the tubing guide assembly; and

FIGURE 85 is a flow chart illustrating programmable control of the appliances of this invention in association with overall driver control programming.

Description of the Invention

FIGURES 1 through 4 are provided for background. FIGURES 1 and 2 show one type of nut driving tool in association with which this invention can be utilized. It should be appreciated this invention can be adapted for securement at and use with many type of nut driver while still providing the advantages as shown and described.

The powered driving tool 86 shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 is utilized for rotating sockets or the like to manipulate threaded connectors such a line fitting nuts. Driving tool 86 includes a driving head 87 connected with a motor module 88 and various electronics, switching and power units as are known. As shown in FIGURE 2, head 87 has gapped jaw 89 accommodating use of a split socket driver 90 (a hex socket driver, for example) used commonly heretofore to manipulate line fittings, and herein utilized to engage and drive the appliances of this invention. As shown in FIGURE 2, power is translated from output shaft 91 of motor module 88 by a drive translate assembly including stacked gears 92 and 93 on shaft 95, bevel gear 93 engaged by primary drive output gear 97 of the final output stage of motor module 88. Main drive gear 99 and idler gears 101 and 103 having center openings 105 complete the drive train.

FIGURES 3 and 4 show a typical type of tube connection fitting 107. Fitting 107 includes typically includes a center nut/fitting body 109/110 having male fitting threads 110 at each end thereof with female nuts 111 engageable thereat. The assembly is utilized to mechanically move ferule assemblies 113/115 to seal tube sections when received at each end of fitting 107 through ferule assemblies 113/115, nuts 111 and the ends of center nut 109 at conical inner chambers 116 thereof. When fully assembled as shown in FIGURE 4, gaps 117 between nuts 111 and center nut 109 are defined (hereinafter called nut to body gap(s)) . These gaps are defined by the space remaining between center nut 109 of body 110 and female nuts 111 when swaging a fitting (between front faces 119 of center nut 109 of fitting body 110 and inner faces 121 of female hex nuts 111), and are highly predictable in size when a correct swage is made (one which does not over or under compress ferule assemblies 113/115 and thus results in a fluid tight finished assembly) .

Turning now to FIGURES 5 through 7, a first embodiment of a utility tool and adaptation of this invention are illustrated, the adaptation shown having adaptation features common to all embodiments of utility tools disclosed hereinafter. Adaptation 125 is located entirely at one side of a nut driving tool (tool 86 for example) and includes a driver head cover 127 constituting a receiver for utility tool mounting body 129. Mounting body 129 includes a base portion 131 releasably engagable at receiver 127 and station portion 133 on base portion 129 which is releasably engageable by utility tool head 135. Tool head 135 includes mounting interface 136 (an opening for receiving station tower 137 therein; not shown in FIGURES 5 through 7 but identical to the interface identified by the same numeral in FIGURE 9) . Reaction blade receiving slot 139 is sized for friction retention of blade stand 141 of reaction blade unit 143. Reaction blade unit 143 has opening 145 therein for receipt of center nut 109 and tubing thereat (not shown) having a portion 147 configured to grasp or engage the facets of the center nut and blade 149 of a size selected to fit in nut to body gap 117 of a correctly swaged fitting. Different sized blade units 143 (or other units as discussed hereinafter) are interchangeable in tool head 135 to accommodate fittings having different characteristics (size, shape or the like, preferably sized as wrench heads that hold the center nut of a fitting for the restriction and cancellation of torque reaction forces) . Specialized reaction blade units can be utilized as shown hereinafter to hold the annular projections of a fitting body, instead of the flats of a fitting nut. When assembled on tool 86, utility tool head 143 is positioned adjacent to a fitting 107 for engagement of center nut 109, nut 111 to be driven by driver 90 (or a socket 150 received thereat as shown in FIGURES 8 and 10) .

As best shown in FIGURE 7, receiver 127 includes an open-ended slot 153 defining a slideway 154 having undercut edges 155. The integral slot/slideway 153/154 extends along the outer surface of receiver 127 from a position aft of drive gear 99 to a position adjacent socket driver 90. Base portion 131 of body 129 includes slide 157 slidably receivable in slideway 154 with the edges thereof received at undercut edges 155. Platform 159 of station 133 has edges 161 which are received between edges 155 and extend mounting body 129 above outer surface 163 of receiver 127. Tower 137 slidably receives reaction unit head 135 at interface 136, thus allowing slidable movement of head 135 for adjustment in two separate axes, toward and away from receiver 127 and forward a rearward in receiver 127. This adjustability provides for ease of positioning of blade unit 143 by an operator in use to swage a fitting or the like. Once installed, mounting body 129/head 135 are retained so long as a fitting to be manipulated blocks slideway 154.

Various alternatives and enhancements for the embodiment shown in FIGURE 5 may be employed as shown in FIGURES 8 through 12. Set screw 169 may be provided in threaded opening 171 through blade stand 141 of reaction blade unit 143 for engagement at detent 173 of tool head 135 to better secure unit 143 thereat. Set screw 175 may be provided for receipt in threaded opening 177 extending into interface opening 136 to guide movement of tool head 135 on tower 137 of station portion 133 of mounting body 129 via guide slot 179 receiving the end of screw 175 therein.

Biasing assembly 181 may be provided in combination with spring biased latch 183 including biasing spring 185 and pivot pin 187 to accommodate spring biased positioning of mounting body 129 adjacent to fitting 107 as desired. Assembly 181 includes pin 189, biasing spring 191 and set screw 193, pin 189 having an enlarged head 195. Passageway 197 through base portion 131 of mounting body 129 includes a threaded outer end for receipt of screw 193, and has an enlarged internal portion sized to receive and retain spring 191 and head 195 of pin 189 but reduced size outlet opening at end 199 of base portion 131 (not shown) sized to allow passage therethrough of pin body 201 but not head 195. When secured in passageway 197, the end of pin body 201 extends from end 199 of base portion 131 and engages detent 203 at the end of slideway 154. Operating against the bias of spring 191, when mounting body 129 is slid onto receiver 127 in slideway 154 pin 201 compresses spring 191 as end 199 of body 131 is moved rearward. Latch 183 is located adjacent the lower undercut edge 155 of slideway 154 and is biased by spring 185 so that catch 205 is located in the track at edge 155 (see also FIGURE 17) . As mounting body 129 is moved rearward in slideway 154, catch 205 is engaged and depressed by the lower outer edge 207 of base portion 131 until the catch reaches notch 209. Catch 205 is then released under bias into notch 209 thereby allowing body 129 and tool head 135 to be held in a retracted position as shown in FIGURES 10 and 11.

When blade unit 143 is positioned on tool head 135, lever arm 211 of latch 183 is depressed by the operator, thus rotating catch 205 against bias out of engagement in notch 209. When thus released, mounting body 129 is automatically biased toward engagement with fitting 107 by biasing assembly 181. As the fitting is rotated by socket 150, blade unit 143 continues to await proper presentation, riding against the fitting until portion 147 engages the facets of center nut 109 with blade 149 in gap 117 as shown in FIGURE 12.

Another embodiment of a utility tool of this invention is illustrated in FIGURES 13 through 32 which incorporates electronic measuring utilizing a reaction utility tool of the type previously shown in combination with an arrangement functioning as a micrometer. For best possible utilization of this embodiment, several enhancements of tool 86 and its operating software/firmware are implemented (the structure of which will be addressed hereinafter) . USB port 215, keypad input programming tool 217, and OLED (organic light emitting diode) screen 219 for graphical data presentation to the operator are provided. A battery pack

Screen 219 is preferably a high bred color monitor for the display of nut to body gap, full color graphics, recorded presentations of the use of the tool and the like. Keypad 217 is utilized to analyze engineering formula to estimate torque through current draw, time calculations and the like. USB port 215 may be used for downloading quality assurance data, trouble shooting, and installation of instructions in any language, remote reprogramming of the tool via the internet and/or printer/label output. Other enhancements can be provided such as a Bluetooth remote for remote control actuation, network monitoring, computer tracking, and project updates. A standard battery pack 220 and operator controls 221 are provided.

A number of the features of this embodiment are similar to those heretofore described, including the features of adaptation 125, except as addressed herein. This utility tool 223 is received at tool 86 as heretofore described, and is particularly adapted as a precision electronic torque reaction unit communicating with onboard programming and operation of tool 86 to repeatedly achieve correct nut to body gap swaging of fitting 109 on tube 225. Tool 223 not only captures the fitting but also provides a mechanical linkage in concert with a potentiometer essentially integrating an electronic micrometer. As will be seen, the unit as a whole is properly placed on the fitting to capture non- rotating center nut 109 of the fitting body, various movable and stationary blades that comprise the micrometer are positioned between nut 111 that's rotating and stationary nut 109, the blades of the micrometer being biased apart from one another under spring tension to assure contact at both sides of fitting nut to body gap 117. Tool 223 remains out of the way during positioning of tool 86 drive socket 89 (or an extension socket of appropriate length 150) onto driven nut 111 of the fitting, tool 223 being capable of automatic deployment thereafter.

This measurement device/reaction unit combination tool 223 includes tool head 231 having mounting interface 136 at a bottom surface thereof (see FIGURE 26) as heretofore described. Head 231 includes nut facet grasping portion 233 faceted at gapped jaw 234 having first micrometer blade 235 thereat, and second slidable/movable micrometer blade carriage 237 at gapped jaw 238 having blade 239 thereat (see FIGURE 24) . A tower height adjustment screw 241 is receivable through threaded opening 242 in top housing surface 243 may be provided for setting one limit of head 231 movement on station tower 137. Sector gear/electronics module 245 having cover 246 resides at one side of tool head 231 and trigger rod capture box 247 having cover 248 resides in surface 243.

As shown in FIGURES 15 through 22, latch 183 includes manipulable end 251 at the terminus of arm 211. Spring retainer tip 253 captures biasing spring 185 for biasing against the top surface of retainer slot 255 in receiver 127 adjacent lower undercut edge 155 of slideway 154. Latch 183 is pivotably located in slot 255 by pin 187 with catch 205 extendable through opening 257 between edge 155 and slot 255. Stem 261 having arcuate end 263 extends through inner receiver wall 265 from slot 255 through arcuate opening 267 (see FIGURE 20) . Lug 269 is secured to end 263 with screws 271.

In operation, as in the prior embodiment, when tool 223 is mounted to tool 86 for use as discussed hereinabove linear movement along slideway 154 to the end thereof move rod 189 and compresses spring 191. This compression reacts to push tool 223 mounting body 129 forward towards the slideway opening for engagement with a fitting. Prior to placement on a fitting it is useful to have the tool remain latched at the aft end of slideway 154 to avoid interference while positioning the tool during alignment with fitting 107. Engagement of catch 205 of latch 183 in notch 209 of base portion 131 of mounting body 129 accomplishes this, and release may occur by operator manipulation of end 251 of arm 211 of latch 183 as described hereinbefore (see FIGURES 18 and 19).

But with installation of lug 269 spring biased to a home position, and by providing a cam lobe 275 a main drive gear 99, catch 205 of latch 183 is moved automatically with normal operation of driver 86. Normal actuation of power driver 86 provides rotation to gear 99 which rotates cam lobe 275 positioned and timed relative to lug 269 for timed actuation and simultaneous release of tool 223 by imparting up and down movement of lug 269 thereby rotating latch 183 and displacing catch 205 to disengaging from notch 209 allowing biased movement of tool 223 from base portion 131 (see FIGURES 20 through 22) . Multiple element electrical strip connector 279 fits snugly in a pocket 281 of base portion 131 of mounting body 129 (retained by screws 282) for providing electrical connection with electronics of nut driver tool 86 through three point male slide connector 282 at slideway 154. Signals (variations in electrical resistance values from variable potentiometer 283 for example) are communicated via wiring passing through tool head opening 284 to interface opening 136, then to passageway 285 through body 129 to connector 287 at strip connector 279 (see FIGURES 23 and 26) . Three wire systems could be utilized for serial communication, both asynchronous and synchronous (i.e., RS232 or IC2) .

Potentiometer 283 is wired at contacts 289 and mounted on mounting board 291. Cover 246 to electronics module 245 and board 291 are retained by screws 293.

Blade carriage 237 is biased away from tool head portion 233 by spring 297 received in opening 299 at bottom surface 301 of portion 233, and is slidably mounted on posts 303 received in slide openings 305. L- shaped contactor wall 307 had detent 309 thereat for locating the opposite end of spring 297, contact leg 311 movable slidable in slot 313 of portion 233 (see FIGURES 24 and 26) . When inserted within a fitting gap 117, blade 239 moves in direct correspondence to movement of nut 111 of fitting 107 rotated on the thread of fitting body 110 during the swaging process. Spring 315 resides in opening 317 (FIGURE 28) in station tower 137 to maintain the height of head portion 233 relative to the top of station tower 137 absent user intervention against spring bias. Slot 313 communicates through wall 319 to chamber 321 housing electronics module 245. Trigger rod capture box 247 includes openings 322 for receipt of snap tabs of cover 248 and release trigger 323, a tab on the leading edge of the carriage box and its cover. Capture box 247 provides trigger and blade position control means for automatic blade relative position retention and release between operations to assure that the blades are easily positioned between nut and body of a fitting at the beginning of swaging operations. Control box 247 is biased forward in chamber 324 toward gapped jaw 234 with tab 323 extending thereinto through channel 325 by compression spring 327 biased against the back face of chamber 324 thus allowing slidable disposition of carriage box 247 in chamber 324 on slide opening guides 328. Slotted keyway 329 captures head 331 of rod 333 at enlarged portion 335 when a fitting received at 234 contacts trigger 323 after latch 183 release, thus sliding box 247 rearward in chamber 324 releasing blades 235 and 239 for deployment adjacent the rotatable body nut 109 and nut 111, respectively, under bias of spring 297. As blade 239 is moved towards tool head portion 233 during swaging, the surface of contactor wall 307 moves toward the end of rod 333 (see FIGURE 27), eventually contacting and raising the rod. When rod head 331 rises within capture box chamber 337 to a point that head 331 is no longer retained at enlarged portion 335, box 247 is free to snap forward under bias of spring 327 once released from the fitting thus retaining the relative positions of blades 235 and 239 in relatively close proximity for insertion between the next nut/body nut combination. Tool head 231 is then manually recocked by a user until relatched at 183, held at the ready for the next operation. When a new fitting is located at the tool, and the latch released, tool head 231 is again biased forward into contact with the fitting and the process repeats. Travel of blade 239 is measured by movement of sector gear 341 formed integral with a contact finger 343 biased by spring 345 (over gear pivot post 347, one leg of which is held in opening 349 and the other of which bears against one side of gear 341) into constant and continued engagement with surface 351 of leg 311 of blade carriage 237 (see FIGURES 26, 29 through 32) . The linear travel of blade carriage 237 is thus converted into rotation of segment gear 341 in mesh at gear teeth 352 with a pinion gear 353 teeth 354 connected at output shaft 357 to output varying rotator 359 of variable potentiometer 283. Rotation of the potentiometer causes a change in electrical resistance as it rotates that can be directly calibrated to track and respond to positional changes of blade 239 relative to blade 235 indicative of the size of gap 361 (and thus fitting nut to body gap 117) . Small pinion gear 353 is formed with a boss at its bottom surface that extends into and is held into operative position by a bearing. This embodiment of the invention is calibrated by deploying blade 239 and carriage 237 on head portion 233 and expanding in a fitting correct nut to body gap of a known measured value. Potentiometer 283 is then manually adjusted with a small screw driver by rotating center pot rotator 359 to an electrical potential consistent with a register of values within a data base (preferably one on board the controller of tool 81) that corresponds to the known correct measured value.

A third embodiment of a utility tool of this invention for tube cutting is described with reference to FIGURES 33 through 38. As with all the utility tools of this invention, cutter tool 371 is mounted entirely at one side of nut driving tool 86. A number of the features of this embodiment are substantially similar to those heretofore described, including the features of adaptation 125, except as addressed herein. Threaded pins 375 extend through holes 377 through platform 159 of station portion 133 of mounting body 129. Pins 375 then extend through a set of spaced apart holes 379 in floating guide tower 137 of station portion 133, extending from front surface thereof. Compression springs 381 are mounted over pins 375 and are held captive by a set of threaded nuts 383. Notch 209 is captured and released by latch/catch 183/205 as heretofore discussed for firmly holding the mounting. Since base portion 131 is captured against sliding and is secure within slideway 154, the entire tube cutting assembly housing 385 may be pulled out and away from receiver 127 of adaptation 125 against the bias of springs 381. Springs 381 assure snug contact of annular rim 391 extending from the periphery of guide tower 137 at the front face thereof and housing 385 adjacent to elongated slot/interface 136 receiving guide tower 137. Spring tension is maintained at a tension sufficient to hold the tube cutter in place during normal operation but compliant to the extent that, if the tube cutter is pulled away from receiver 127 of the tool, housing 385 will move away providing clearance between the housing and the drive tool (for example, to allow insertion of socket end 392 of one way roller clutch socket 393 in drive socket 89) . Guide tower 137 is slidably received in elongated interface 136 of tool head housing 385 with collar portion 395 thereof protruding through and rim 391 thereof restrained from movement through interface 136. Tubing cutting utility 397 (a blade and retaining block) is selectively locatable by user manipulable threaded positioner 399 in cavity 401 of housing 385. Cavity 401 has a cutting utility receiving track 403 at the sides thereof for slidable receipt of the guide edges of the blade retaining block of cutting utility 397 therein. Tubing 225 is positioned in a positioning portion defined at the bottom surface of cavity 401. Cavities defined within utility 397 rotatably retain a cutting wheel/axle 407 for tube cutting. Rollers at the base of cavity 401 and adjacent to the tubing positioning portion can be provided to allow tubing rotation.

One way roller clutch assembly 393 employs at least one and preferably two one-way roller clutches 409

(though any other means for slidably receiving tubing therethrough and holding the tubing therein to allow selective rotation of the tubing could be utilized) . Use of a single roller clutch assembly provides for rotation of tubing received thereat in one direction o rotation and non-rotation of the tubing when rotated in the opposite direction. Use of a second one-way roller clutch in a back-to-back configuration with the first allows for the driving of tubing rotation both directions.

Once tool 371 and tubing 225 are positioned at the selected cutting position, positioner 399 is manipulated to tighten the cutting utility 397 with the blade in contact with the tubing. As tightening proceeds, tubing 225 is forced into position in cavity 401 as guide tower 137 slidably adjusts along interface 136 to accommodate tubing positioning. Tubing 225 is then rotated (in either direction) by activation of driving tool 86 as positioner 399 is continually tightened to effect tube cutting.

A fourth embodiment of a utility tool of this invention for tube bending is shown in FIGURES 39 through 44. Bending utility tool 415 of this invention is mounted entirely at one side of nut driving tool 86 for bending tubing 225 as illustrated in FIGURES 39 and 40. As before, a number of the features of this embodiment are substantially similar to those heretofore described, including the features of adaptation 125, except as addressed herein.

Station portion 133 of mounting body 129 has spring biased rod 417 maintained in opening 419 therethrough and biased outwardly therein by spring 421 and set screw 423 (see FIGURE 42) . Rod 417 pushes against the end of slideway 154 to bias the tool toward the front adjacent to the output socket 89 of driver 86 (not shown) . Bender tool head housing 425 includes retainer section 427 and cover section 429 held together by screws 431. Retainer section 427 has raised pocket 433 centrally located thereat, flanged hub 435 positioning in pocket 433 and secured thereat with cap screws 437. Hub 435 includes retaining flange 439 and squared shaft 441, shaft 441 received through opening 443 through housing retainer section 427 interior pocket 433, bearing set 445 and interchangeable static wheel 447 having appropriately sized tube facilitating circumferential arcuate trough 449 thereabout. Bearing set 445 rotatably supports large spur gear

451 in meshed engagement with driving pinion gear 453. Boss 455 extends from the face of gear 453 and is stabilized and held in bearing 457 pressed into opening 459 at the tapered bottom end of cover section 429. Cover section 429 resides in perimeter pocket 461 of retainer section 427, inner aperture 463 of cover section 429 encircling shoulder 465 on the face of large spur gear 451, shoulder 465 projecting therethrough. Spur gear rotatably resides in cavity 468 and pinion gear 453 rotatably resides in cavity 469.

Tube bending cleat 471 includes post 473 receivable in recess 475 of gear 451, the post retained therein using appropriate means. Tubing guide holder 477 is secured to housing 425 on post 479 receivable through openings 481 and 483 and secured using screws 485 in threaded openings 487 in retainer section 427. Leg 491 has wheel guide 493 rotatably mounted therein on shaft

495, leg 491 having linear trough 496 at the top thereof and guide 493 having arcuate circumferential trough 497 thereabout to position and align a piece of tubing 225 with static wheel 447. In this way, tubing 225 is guided while gear 451 (and thus cleat 471) is rotated to bend the tubing.

As an alternative to tube bending cleat 471, a wheel with a tube shaped outer periphery mounted on a ball bearing supported ring and attached to an axel receivable in receivable in recess 475 of gear 451 could be utilized to further reduce likelihood of tube marring during operations. Wheel guide 493 could be configured with additional structure and motorized so that engagement of tubing thereat would allow for automatic linear advancement of tubing to predetermined (and, where provided, computer controlled) bend points. In computer controlled operations, instant determination of radial set-backs could thus be accommodated. Furthermore, additional structure could be provided for radial manipulation of tubing allowing tubing rotation accommodating tube bends in various directions and thus further facilitating formation of complex angles and bends calculated by an on-board computer where provided.

Tool head housing 425 is received on stabilizing post 499 located in interface 136. An opening (not shown) in rear face 500 of mounting body 129 at tower 137 receives post 499 as tower 137 is received in interface 136. Base portion 131 includes multiple element electrical strip connector 503 in bottom recess 505 thereof held by screws 507 for signal communication to and from tool 415 from driver 86 program control. Drive force to pinion gear 453 is supplied on shaft 509 received in opening 511 at the reverse side of gear 453 (see FIGURE 43) .

Amplified torque for rotation of pinion gear 453 is supplied through drive socket 89 from driver 86 engaging drive shaft 513 maintained through cap opening 514 on bearing 515 pressed into housing cap 517. Cap 517 is held on drive assembly retainer 519 by screws 521. Shaft 513 includes socket receivable end 523 engageble by drive socket 89 and sun gear end 525. Sun gear 525 is in driving engagement with the planet gears 529 of the internal torque multiplier. Hardened ring gear 531 having anti-rotation lugs 532 is pressed into shaped pocket 533 including lug receiving slots 534 in retainer 519 and is in mesh with radially disposed planet gears 529. Revolving needle bearings at the center of each gear 529 rotatably retain gears 529 on dowel pins 537 pressed into the face of the planet carrying carriage 539 having shaft 509 at the rear thereof. When under power, carriage 539 imparts rotation to pinion gear 453 supplying substantially amplified torque values to tube bender tool 415. Computer controlled bending is facilitated by a series of pockets defined in output gear 451 equidistantly disposed around the perimeter of the gear, each pocket holding a magnet 543. The precision placed magnets 543 are monitored by on-board computer at driver 86 to maintain radial position of gear 451 by counting the magnets as they pass by Hall effects sensor 545 installed into cavity 547 of housing retainer portion 427 thereby allowing software resident in the tool to create precision bends in tubing. Hall effects sensor 545 is connected to female slide connector 503 via slot 549 extending between cavity 547 and interface 136 and through an opening in tower 137 terminating at connector 551. In this way, radial displacement of tubing 225 is programmable by the tools user with appropriate input. Tube bends may be visually selected by selecting the desired bend from a roster of choices presented on visual monitor 219 disposed on the outer case of the power tool. This provides the technician with the ability to select from multiple bending scenarios and mathematical calculations concerning tubing length calculations prior to bending a piece of tube.

A fifth embodiment of a utility tool of this invention for sawing tubing or other materials is described with reference to FIGURES 45 through 53. As with all the utility tools of this invention, reciprocating sawing utility tool 561 is mounted entirely at one side of nut driving tool 86. A number of the features of this embodiment are substantially similar to those heretofore described, including the features of adaptation 125, except as addressed herein.

Utility tool 561 is a reciprocating saw particularly adapted for cutting tubing in tightly packaged tubing arrays, such as manifolds and the like, without damaging adjacent tubing, wires, or structure. Tool head 563 features a short stroke reciprocating saw blade 565 and curved jaw tube trap 567. Tube trap 567 is configured to hold the tubing during the cutting processes.

Housing 569 includes retainer portion 571 and cover portion 573 assembled using screws 575 in retainer portion threaded opening 577. Curved jaw trap 567 includes forward and aft curved tube guideways 581 and 583, respectively, defined at housing retainer portion blade arm 585 leading to tube lodging saw exposure openings 587 and 589 in retainer portion and cover portion 571 and 573, respectively (see FIGURES 47 and 48) . Ball bearing assembly 591 is pressed into housing retainer portion opening 593 and supports drive shaft 595 for operational rotation of crank arm wheel 597 in linked and pivotal cooperation with crank arm 599. Shaft 595 includes squared socket receivable end 601, crank arm wheel 597 having opening 603 therein for receipt of crank arm pivot leg 605 and central rear wall spacer hub 607. Crank arm 599 pivot leg 609 is received through opening 611 in the end of the saw blade 565, maintained there by standard "C" clips 613 or the like. Thus, rotation of drive shaft 595 translates to reciprocating motion of saw blade 565 as illustrated in FIGURES 52 and 53. Saw blade 565 is guided and oriented by blade block 617 which in turn has its reciprocating motion guided in track cavity 619 in arm 585 of housing retainer portion 571. Cavity 619 serves to maintain blade alignment in portion 571 of housing 569 for correct blade location at the curved tube guide 567. Blade 565 is located in blade receiving channel 621, saw block attachment screw 623 being threadably received in opening 625 in block 617 and through opening 627 of blade 565. Base portion 131 of mounting body 129 operates as set out hereinabove, notch 209 being engagable by latch 183, mounting body 129 being forward biased by spring loaded pin 189. Mounting interface 136/499 of tool head 563 is receivable in opening 629 of tower 137. Thus tool head 563 is elevation adjustable on tower 137 so that end 601 of drive shaft 595 may be directly received at drive socket 89 of driver 86, or may be received in extension socket 150 (a two piece 631 and 633 socket assembly shown in the FIGURES) receivable by drive socket 89 as illustrated herein.

A sixth embodiment of a utility tool of this invention, again for sawing tubing or other materials, is described with reference to FIGURES 54 through 58. Rotary blade sawing utility tool 641 is mounted entirely at one side of nut driving tool 86. As always, a number of the features of this embodiment are substantially similar to those heretofore described, including the features of adaptation 125, except as addressed herein. Tool head 643 is particularly suitable for allowing tubing that is installed as part of an assembly to be cut and removed for replacement. Housing 645 includes retainer portion 647 and cover portion 649 assembled using screws 651 in corresponding retainer portion threaded openings. Forwardly disposed tube lodging saw exposure openings 652 and 653 in retainer portion and cover portion 647 and 649, respectively , provide tube cutting access to rotary saw blade 655 (see FIGURES 55 through 57 ) .

As shown in FIGURE 58, saw blade 655 is integral with drive shaft 659 having squared socket receivable end 661. Drive shaft 659 is receivable in ball bearing set 663 press fit into bore 665 in the center of the housing retainer portion 647 thus supporting saw blade 655 for rotation within pocket 669 of housing retainer portion 647. Saw blade 655 is captured in the contoured pocket and sandwiched between rotatable tube size selector guide 671 and cover 649. Attached to the face of rotatable selector guide 671 is axel 673 received at one end in a threaded opening 675 in guide 671 which extends through actuate slot 677 in cover 649 at its opposite end to a position outside tool housing 645. Axel 673 has slidable barrel 679 mounted thereon and biased by spring 681 towards the face of cover 649. This assembly is retained by spring keeper 683. Together as an assembly, spring loaded barrel 679 provides a selector for user choice of a desired slot 685 diameter by providing disengagable locking in a radially arranged series of detents 689 along arcuate slot 677 corresponding to the diameter of tubing desired to cut. By withdrawing the barrel from an annular detent followed by user rotation of guide 671 to a new detent using axle 673, a new operative position is obtained suitable to a different size tubing.

Tool head 643 is attached to the face of the drive tool using base portion 131 of mounting body 129 as described previously. Notch 209 is engagable by latch 183 for tool stability and release and removal from slideway 154, mounting body 129 being forward biased by spring loaded pin received in opening 197 as discussed ' hereinabove. Mounting interface 136/499 of tool head 643 is receivable in opening 693 in the reverse face of tower 137, thus allowing elevation adjustment on tower 137 so that end 661 of drive shaft 659 may be directly received at drive socket 89 of driver 86, or may be received in extension socket 150 receivable by drive socket 89 as illustrated herein.

A seventh embodiment of a utility tool of this invention, for grasping different types and/or sizes of fittings for rotational stabilization thereof, is described with reference to FIGURES 59 through 68.

Reaction utility tool 701 includes different tool heads for different engagements. Head 703 of FIGURES through 63 is adapted for use with valve bodies 705 while head 707 (FIGURES 64 through 68) is adapted for use with tube fitting tees (not shown), elbows 709 and crosses 711.

Tool 701 is mounted entirely at one side of nut driving tool 86. As always, a number of the features of this embodiment are substantially similar to those heretofore described and may not be shown, including the features of adaptation 125, except as addressed herein.

Tool head 703 includes open faced valve body receptacle 714 positioned at mounting interface platform 715 having slot 717 at facet 718 thereof for receipt of a valve stem 719 thereinto. Tubing guide slot 721 is located at platform 715 for receipt and stabilization of tubing 225. An alternative mounting and orientation of tool head 703 is illustrated in FIGURE 63 wherein interface 136/499 is located on side located interface platform 725 and mounting body 129 provides positioning of mounting opening 693 accordingly at tower 137 of station portion 133. Tool head 707 is mounted on mounting body 129 at interface 136/499 in opening 693. Such heads can be provided for various sizes, and could be individually fashioned to accept specific tubing connection types. However, the universal design of head 707 shown herein is preferred. Head 707 includes fitting guide wings 729 and 731 each having an arcuate guide channel 733. Central tube/fitting passage 735 is defined at rear wall 737 (FIGURE 66) . This universal design can be used to accept fittings of a variety of sizes and configuration including tees, crosses 711 (FIGURE 67), elbows 709 (FIGURE 68), and others.

Program control at a processor on-board tool 86 is illustrated in FIGURES 69 through 73 for use with the various electronic utility tool embodiments of this invention (particularly reaction tool 223 illustrated in FIGURES 13 through 32) .

Tool 86 has various inputs shown in the drawings allowing the switching and inputs discussed hereinbelow. Once the driver is powered on, it is monitored for power- off at all times. Restarting in such case requires a safety switch to be held for a safe restart. Thereafter, various functions are initialized and the main loop is entered whereat the driver awaits operator input. Once awakened (FIGURE 70), the control searches for jog function input, user selected fitting size and type input, and/or operational mode input (in this case, swage functions for nut to body gap measurement use, or auxiliary functions for use of the various other tool heads, are selected at appropriate switching) . The jog function mode is used for operator relocation of the socket and/or reverse rotation operations. The jog function includes a high power and lower power operational modes used for different fittings and/or different installation manipulation tasks. Swaging operation control is shown in FIGURE 71. A number and identifying indicia are assigned when the trigger is pulled. Further functions, such as blue tooth label printing functions could also be provided.

Selection of a particular mode enters individualized process loops related to the selected mode. In swage mode, functions related to both nut to body gap measurement, start position, and monitored relative movement of fastener nut and body are completed. If a ferule is missing, such is detected. Nut to body proximity is sensed and monitored, data indicative of various operations (trigger pull/release) and or limit achievement being written to EEPROM, certain assumptions related thereto noted for operator advisement. Gap measurement functions (from data sent from potentiometer 283 of tool 223 for example) are illustrated in FIGURE 72, gap measurement being displayable accordingly at monitor 219, for example. Gap measurement signals are

A/D converted leading to a gap calculation obtained from an on-board look-up table created from prior made calibrations. Auxiliary functions related to sawing, cutting and bending are facilitated in a more general manner as shown in FIGURE 73.

Other control options to help assure proper fastener integrity could be utilized. For example, power consumption data during a tightening operation can be monitored and reported (for example, using motor 261 current draw) and plotted versus time interval and/or drive gear tooth count to seek the exact point between 400° and 540° that power draw ramps up to a peak and then falls off slightly (indicating the a tube fitting ferrule has begun to yield) , thereafter ramping up and peaking again (indicating full ferrule compression) . This correlation -can be used to cease driver operation at the first peak and fall off to further assuring proper fitting tightness. This same data can be utilized to determine dynamic torque as it is applied, to spot missing ferrules or otherwise defective fittings, driver malfunction (binding or the like), and operator errors. Additionally, fitting inventory may be automatically updated based on completed swages counted.

FIGURES 74 and 75 are provided for additional background. These show another type of nut driving tool in association with which the appliances and utility tools of this invention can be utilized. It should be appreciated that the appliances of this invention can be adapted for securement at and use with almost any driver type while still providing the advantages as shown and described. The powered driving tool 821 shown in FIGURES 74 and

75 is utilized for rotating sockets or the like to manipulate threaded connectors such a line fitting nuts. Driving tool 821 includes a driving head 823 connected with a motor module 825 and various electronics, switching and power units as are known. As shown in

FIGURE 75, head 823 has gapped jaw 827 accommodating use of a split socket driver 829 (a hex socket driver, for example) used commonly heretofore to manipulate line fittings, and herein utilized to engage and drive the appliances of this invention. As shown in FIGURE 2, power is translated from output shaft 830 of motor module 825 by a drive translate assembly including stacked gears 831 and 833 on shaft 835, bevel gear 833 engaged by primary drive output gear 837 of the final output stage of motor module 825.

Main drive gear 839 and idler gears 841 and 843 having center openings 845 complete the drive train.

Center openings 845 provide a convenient mechanism for securement and selective positioning of the appliances of this invention for use on a driver of this type, and the appliances will be illustrated accordingly. It should be appreciated, however, that drivers having different configuration can still utilize the appliances of this invention with adaptation of the securement as may be necessary and apparent.

Turning now to FIGURES 76 through 81, tubing cutting embodiment 849 of the appliance of this invention adapted for use with a tool of type shown in FIGURES 74 and 75 is illustrated for cutting of tubing 851. Cutting appliance 849 includes tubing locating and stabilizing structure 853 (in this embodiment a tubing cutter) including a housing block 854, securement 855 for aligning and securing structure 853 at one side of driving tool 821 adjacent to driving head 823, and rotatable structure 857 engagable at nut driving head 823 by socket driver 829 for rotation thereof relative to structure 853. Rotatable structure 857 (in this embodiment functioning as a tubing rotation socket) includes tubing engaging portion 859 for manipulating tubing in a selected manner (in this embodiment, rotating the tubing in at least a first direction) , and faceted engagable portion 861 (preferably a hexagonal socket structure) engagable at socket driver 829. Securement 855 for this particular driving tool is an assembly including guide rails 863 (rod shaped splines) slidably receivable through openings 845 through idler gears 841 and 843 and threadably engaged at the opposite ends thereof at alignment block 865. Alignment block 865 is slidably received in elongated slide opening 867 of housing block 854 with collar 869 thereof protruding through restricted slot 870 of opening 867 and rim 871 thereof restrained by slot opening wall 873. At least one of rails 863 may be provided with means for maintaining securement 855 at driving tool 821 (in this case circumferential groove 875 engagable at a driving head retainer) .

As best shown in FIGURE 79, housing block 854 includes body portion 877 and cover portion 879 held together by screws 880. Tubing cutting utility 881 is selectively locatable by user manipulable threaded positioner 883 in cavity 885 (an opening through both body portion 877 and cover portion 879) of housing block 854. Cavity 885 has a cutting utility receiving track 887 (see also FIGURE 77) at the sides thereof for slidable receipt of guides 889 of blade retaining block 891 of cutting utility 881 therein, and tubing positioning portion 892 at the base thereof (i.e., defined by a detent at the base of cavity/opening 85) . Retaining block 891 includes first and second block halves (see FIGURE 79) held together by machine screws 893. When assembled, cavities defined within block 891 house cutting wheel 895 (a metal cutting blade) rotatably mounted on screw 897, positioner end 899 (on reduced diameter neck 900 retained through opening 901 - see FIGURE 80), and rollers 902 adjacent to tubing positioning portion 892. Positioner 883 includes threaded shaft 903 having end 899 at one terminus and manually manipulable portion 905 at an opposite terminus, shaft 903 threadably engaged at threaded opening 907 in housing block body portion 877. Rollers 902 are rotatably retained on shafts 909 held at between openings in body portion 877 and cover portion 879 and accommodate rotation of tubing received at tubing positioning portion 892. As shown in FIGURES 80 and 81, tubing engaging portion 859 of rotatable structure 857 in the cutter embodiment of the appliances of this invention includes at least one and preferably two one-way roller clutch assembly or assemblies 911 (though any other means for slidably receiving tubing therethrough and holding the tubing therein to allow selective rotation of the tubing could be utilized) . Use of a single roller clutch assembly provides for rotation of tubing received thereat in one direction of structure 857 rotation, and rotation of structure 857 relative to the tubing in an opposite direction of rotation. Use of a second one-way roller clutch in a back-to-back configuration with the first allows for the driving of tubing rotation in an opposite direction from the first roller clutch assembly, thereby providing tubing rotation in either direction of structure 857 rotation by the nut driving tool. Engagable portion 861 and engaging portion 859 of structure 857 are preferably integrated structures with the engagable portion defined at an outer circumference of the engaging portion. Plural structures 857 may be provided each configured to receive and hold tubing of a different size.

Operation the embodiment 849 of the appliance of this invention is illustrated in FIGURES 76, 77, 80 and 81. Rotatable structure 857 is engaged at faceted engagable portion 861 by socket driver 829 of head 823 of tool 821 and the assembled stabilizing structure 853 and securement 855 of appliance 849 are presented for engagement at tool head 823 as heretofore described. Tubing 851 is received at cavity 885 and through the central opening of engaging portion 859 of structure 857 (through roller clutch assemblies 911) and guide rails 863 are located in openings 845 at head 823. It should be appreciated that the order of assembly is a preference best left to the operator in the field.

Once appliance 849 and tubing 851 are positioned, structure 853 and securement 855 are slidably moved toward head 823 and rotatable structure 857 on rails 863. Once tubing 851 is at its selected cutting position, manipulable portion 905 of positioner 883 is tightened to bring cutting utility 881 into position until the blade of cutting wheel 895 contacts tubing 851. As tightening proceeds, tubing 851 is forced into position at tubing positioning portion 892 in contact with rollers 902, alignment block 865 of securement 855 slidably adjusting along slide opening 867 accommodating tubing positioning. Tubing 851 is then rotated (in either direction) by activation of driving tool 821 as positioner 883 is continually tightened to effect tube cutting. Should binding of any type occur, reverse rotation will alleviate the problem. In this manner, the exact centerline of tubing 851/tool head 823 is maintained during all operations while positioner 883 is tightened and tubing 851 is rotated.

Cutting appliance 849 is simple, self aligning and adaptable to a variety of tool types having a drive head. Appliance 849 covers a range of tubing sizes at rotatable structure 857, and rotates tubing without scratching or otherwise damaging the tubing. Accurate cutting to any desired length can be accomplished in seconds with no torque reaction stress. While roller clutches are preferred herein (providing easy on/off application to tubing 851 and slip free tubing rotation) , other means to engage the tubing such as friction material sleeves or the like could be used to grip and rotate tubing without damaging the tubing. Moreover, additional roller clutches (more than one or two and stacked in any direction of free rotation) could be utilized to provide greater tube support.

While not shown, is should be appreciated that simple measuring attachments could be utilized for measuring a length of pipe as it is drawn through stabilizing structure 853 of appliance 849. For example, a wheel with a known diameter and index marks could be used to visually monitor the length of tubing to be cut. A floating block coupled to a spring biased articulated arm attached to stabilizing structure 53 would maintain the measurement wheel on the centerline of tubing 851 while adjustments are made in vertical position of structure 853 on securement 855. The simple wheel could be coupled to an assemblage of gears for registration of feet, inches, and fractions as desired. In the present embodiment the graduated wheel would be useful for determination of the number of inches of tubing being pulled through structure 853, insuring an exact cutting length. Other known means including optical or electronic means could be utilized for measuring tubing length at structure 853 and could be coupled to driving tool 821 onboard central processing controls.

Tubing bending embodiment 917 of the appliance of this invention is illustrated in FIGURES 82 through 84 adapted for use with a tool of type shown in FIGURES 74 and 75. Bending appliance 917 includes tubing locating and stabilizing structure 919 including manipulator stabilizing assembly 921, tube guide block 923 press fit into engagement with assembly 921, and aligning securement 925 (guide rails, for example) threadably engaged with assembly 921 for aligning and securing structure 919 at one side of driving tool 821 adjacent to driving head 823. Rotatable structure 927 is engagable at nut driving head 823 by socket driver 829 for rotation thereof relative to structure 919. Rotatable structure 927 in appliance embodiment 917 comprises a tubing manipulator including socket end 931 receivable through opening 933 of assembly 921 for engagement at nut driving head 823 of driving tool 821, and tubing guide end 935 for receipt of tubing 851 thereat.

Rotatable structure 927 (in this embodiment functioning as the primary bending agent) includes tubing engaging portion 937 at end 935 for manipulating tubing in a selected manner (in this embodiment, by rotating engaging portion 937 in at least a first direction to bend tubing located thereat) . Socket end 931 includes a faceted engagable portion 939 (preferably a hexagonal socket structure) engagable at socket driver 829 and neck portion 941 extending through opening 933. Securement 925 for this particular driving tool includes guide rails slidably receivable at openings 845 through idler gears 841 and 843. Again, at least one of the rails may be provided with means for retaining structure 919 at driving tool 821.

Tubing guide end 935 of rotatable structure 927, including engaging portion 937, includes mounting wheel 943 having neck portion 941 of socket end 931 secured thereto at one face and engaging portion 937 secured (press fitting, for example) at its opposite face. Manipulator stabilizing assembly 921 of structure 919 includes wheel guide block portion 945 integrated with plate portion 947 for stabilizing wheel 943 during rotation. A selected diameter guide 949 (preferably an interchangeable part) of engaging portion 937 is centrally located at the opposite face of wheel 943 and has a circumferential groove 951 therearound of a size selected to accommodate a selected tubing 851 size. Diameter of guide 949 is selected depending on desired bend radius. A second tubing guide 953 is located at the opposite face of wheel 943 spaced from guide 949 and also has a groove 955 of the selected size at a linear extent thereof.

When wheel 943 is rotated to its rest position (ready to receive tubing as shown in FIGURE 82), groove 955 of guide 949 is linearly coextensive with linear groove 957 of guide block 923 of structure 919. The spacing between guides 949 and 953 is selected to accommodate a snug, but slidable, fit of the selected tubing 851 size. A tubing to be bent is located at the grooves 951/955/957 and positioned where the bend is to be made. Securement rails 925 are positioned in openings 845 of driving head 823 and the assembled appliance 917 is slid into place with socket end 931 of rotatable structure 927 engaged at socket driver 829. Driving tool 821 is then actuated (rotation in only one direction - the clockwise direction - as shown in FIGURE 82) to rotate wheel 943, and thus guides 949 and 953, relative to guide block 923 of structure 919. When the bend is complete, rotatable structure 927 can be released from socket driver 829 and/or rails 925 from head 823 to better accommodate release of the tubing.

As before, the exact centerline of tubing 851/tool head 823 is maintained during all bending operations while wheel 943 is rotated thereby assuring accurate and repeatable bends. Bending appliance 917 is simple, self aligning and adaptable to a variety of tool types having a drive head. Appliance 917 is adaptable to cover a range of tubing sizes at rotatable structure 927, and rotates tubing thereat with minimal scratching or other damage. Again, measuring tools could be adapted and utilized with appliance 917.

It should be appreciated that the particular means for adapting the appliances of this invention to a driving tool, and particularly the means for movement of the appliance toward and away from the driving head while secured to the driver, will be different depending upon driver type and/or in view of other considerations such as space savings, driver size, and desired weight limitations . Turning now to FIGURE 85, the appliances of this invention can be incorporated into the program control of controllers for driving tools of type shown in FIGURES 74 and 75 and thus equipped. For example, in a typical application, once the driver is powered on it may provide for mode selection between various supported modes. If an auxiliary mode is supported, programming can be applied to support the appliances of this invention. Once programmed, selection of the mode adapted to the particular interchangeable appliance of this invention to be utilized can be initiated by a user (at a mode selection switch, for example) . Once entered, the start cycle for the selected mode repeats until the mode is exited (again, by switching for example) . Mode functionality may be as simple as monitoring of user operation of the driver via the various power forward, jog, power reverse switches or the like as shown.

As may be appreciated from the foregoing, highly adaptable tools and appliances are disclosed herein for performing various sorts of operations related to fluid carrying lines, fittings and facilities. Ease of use and prevention of operations error are facilitated, and adaptability to a variety of installation circumstances is achieved.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An adaptation for mounting and positioning a selected utility tool at one side of a nut driving tool having a main drive gear operationally associated with a socket driver, said adaptation comprising: a receiver adapted for connection to the one side of the nut driving tool adjacent to the socket driver; and a utility tool mounting body receivable at the one side of the nut driving tool for utility tool positioning at a location relative to the socket driver, said mounting body including a base portion releasably engageable with said receiver and a station portion on said base portion releasably engageable with the selected utility tool.

2. The adaptation of claim 1 wherein said receiver includes an open ended slot defining slideway extending linearly along the one side of the nut driving tool from an area adjacent to the main drive gear to an area adjacent to the socket driver,

3. The adaptation of claim 2 wherein said mounting body base portion is slidably receivable in said slideway.

4. The adaptation of claim of 2 wherein said station includes a tower, the utility tool slidably receivable at said tower.

5. The adaptation of claim 2 wherein said base portion of said mounting body includes a slide receivable in undercut edges of said slideway.

6. The adaptation of claim 5 wherein said station portion includes a platform having edges which are receivable between said undercut edges to extend said mounting body above said receiver.

7. The adaptation of claim 1 further comprising a latch one of or both manually operable and drive gear engageable/operable for securement and release of said base portion at said receiver.

8. The adaptation of claim 7 further comprising biasing means at said base portion for biasing said base portion toward disengagement from said receiver.

9. A utility tool maintainable entirely at one side of a nut driving tool having a main drive gear operationally associated with a socket driver, said utility tool comprising: a utility tool head having a mounting interface; and a mounting body including a base portion releasably engageable at the one side of the nut driving tool for utility tool positioning at a location relative to the socket driver, and a station portion on said base portion releasably engageable with said mounting interface of said utility tool head.

10. The utility tool of claim 9 further comprising a receiver adapted for connection to the one side of the nut driving tool adjacent to the socket driver for releasable engagement thereat by said base of said mounting body, said receiver including a slideway extending along the one side of the nut driving tool.

11. The utility tool of claim 9 wherein said utility tool head is a reaction unit for engaging a nut or a fitting body.

12. The utility tool of claim 11 further comprising biasing means at said base portion for biasing said mounting body toward engagement with a work unit engaged at the socket driver.

13. The utility tool of claim 11 further comprising means for measuring and reporting operational parameters relating to nut to body gap to on-board processing at the nut driving tool, electronic contacts located at said base portion of said mounting body provided for communication with electronic contacts at the one side of the nut driving tool.

14. The utility tool of claim 13 wherein said measuring and reporting means includes relatively movable blades at said utility tool head positionable between the nut and the fitting body and movable with movement of the nut by the socket driver.

15. The utility tool of claim 14 further comprising a potentiometer at said tool head responsive to one of said blades for measuring nut to body gap change.

16. The utility tool of claim of 14 wherein said blades include surfaces for engagement of different features of a tube connection fitting, said tool head further comprising trigger means for automatic blade relative potion retention and release between operations.

17. The utility of claim 13 wherein said base portion includes a slide receivable in a slideway located at the one side of the nut driving tool, said electronic contacts located at said base portion maintained at said slide, and said electronic contacts at the one side of the nut driving tool maintained at said slideway.

18. The utility of claim 9 further comprising a latch at the one side of the nut driving tool engageable and operable by the drive gear for securement and release of said base portion.

19. The utility tool of claim 9 wherein said head is a tubing cutter.

20. The utility tool of claim 9 wherein said head is a tubing bender.

21. The utility tool of claim 9 wherein said head is one of a reciprocating saw or a rotary saw.

22. The utility tool of claim 9 wherein said head is adapted for stabilizing at least one of tee fittings, cross fitting, elbow fittings, or valve bodies.

23. A method for adaptation of a nut driving tool having a main drive gear operationally associated with a socket driver for utilization and operation of any of a plurality of utility tools, said method comprising the steps of: releasably receiving a selected one of the utility tools at one side of the nut driving tool in a receiver adapted to entirely reside at the one side of the nut driving tool adjacent to the socket driver; and effecting movement of the selected one of the utility tools in conjunction with operation of the socket driver.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of engaging a portion of the selected utility tool at the socket driver.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of aligning a portion of the selected utility tool with the socket driver.

26. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of electronically communicating data to processing on-board the nut driving tool.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of communicating data includes measuring fitting nut to body gap change during socket driver operation at the utility tool, communicating the change data, and responsive thereto controlling nut driving tool operation.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of communicating data includes the steps of communicating data specific to utility tool function and responsive thereto controlling nut driving tool operation.

29. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of biasing the utility tool at the one side of the nut driving tool toward disengagement with said nut driving tool.

30. The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of monitoring fitting nut to fitting body proximity at the utility tool and recording and retaining data related thereto at the nut driving tool.

31. An interchangeable tubing manipulating appliance operable in conjunction with a driving tool having a nut driving head, said appliance comprising: tubing locating and stabilizing structure; means for aligned securement of said locating and stabilizing structure at one side of the driving tool and adjacent to the nut driving head; and means engagable at the nut driving head for selective rotation thereof relative to said tubing locating and stabilizing structure.

32. The appliance of claim 31 wherein said means engagable at the nut driving head includes a tubing engaging portion adapted for manipulation of tubing in a selected manner and a faceted engagable portion associated with said engaging portion for common rotation therewith in at least a first direction of rotation.

33. The appliance of claim 31 further comprising a cutting utility mounted at said locating and stabilizing structure, and wherein said means engagable at the nut driving head includes means for slidably receiving tubing therethrough and for holding the tubing therein to thereby allow selective rotation of the tubing.

34. The appliance of claim 31 wherein said means for aligned securement includes means slidably receivable at selected drive tool structure for selected positioning of said tubing locating and stabilizing structure relative to the driving head of the driving tool.

35. The appliance of claim 31 adapted for either one of tubing cutting or tubing bending and adaptable to different tubing sizes.

36. The appliance of claim 31 wherein said tubing locating and stabilizing structure includes a first tubing guide and wherein said means engagable at the nut driving head includes a second tubing guide fixed at a mounting wheel.

37. A tubing manipulating appliance for tubing cutting in association with a nut driving tool having a nut driving head, said appliance comprising: a tubing cutter including a selectively locatable cutting utility mounted adjacent structure for aligned securement of said cutter at one side of the driving tool; and a tubing rotation socket engagable at the nut driving head for selective rotation thereof relative to said tubing cutter, said socket configured to receive tubing thereat and hold the tubing for selective rotation thereof in at least one direction of rotation.

38. The appliance of claim 37 wherein said tubing cutter further includes a housing having a tubing positioning portion and a cutting utility receiving portion having said cutting utility selectively positionable therein.

39. The appliance of claim 38 wherein said tubing positioning portion includes a least first means for accommodating rotation of tubing received thereat.

40. The appliance of claim 38 further comprising a user manipulable cutting utility positioner maintained at the housing for selectable location of said cutting utility along said utility receiving portion relative to said tubing positioning portion.

41. The appliance of claim 37 wherein said tubing rotation socket includes at least a first one way roller clutch assembly for receiving tubing therein.

42. The appliance of claim 41 wherein said tubing rotation socket includes a second one way roller clutch assembly receiving the tubing therein and positioned relative to said first roller clutch assembly to provide driving rotation in an opposite direction from said first roller clutch assembly.

43. The appliance of claim 37 further comprising a plurality of tubing rotation sockets each configured to receive and hold tubing of a different size.

44. The appliance of claim 37 further comprising means for registering tubing length associated with said tubing cutter.

45. The appliance of claim 38 wherein said housing further includes an elongated slide opening and wherein said structure includes an alignment block slidably receivable at said elongated slide opening of said housing.

46. A tubing manipulating appliance for tubing bending in association with a nut driving tool having a nut driving head, said appliance comprising: a tubing manipulator having a socket end receivable at the nut driving head of the driving tool for selected rotation of the manipulator and a tubing guide end for receipt of tubing thereat; and tubing locating and stabilizing structure securable at the driving tool adapted to receive tubing thereat, said structure having an opening for receipt of said manipulator therethrough.

47. The appliance of claim 46 wherein said tubing locating and stabilizing structure includes a manipulator stabilizing assembly and a tube guide block located at said manipulator stabilizing assembly.

48. The appliance of claim 47 wherein said tubing guide end of said manipulator includes a mounting wheel positionable adjacent to said manipulator stabilizing assembly of said tubing locating and stabilizing structure.

49. The appliance of claim 48 wherein said tubing guide end of said manipulator further includes a selected diameter first guide portion centrally located at one face of said mounting wheel and a second guide portion spaced from said first guide portion at said one face, said socket end of said manipulator located at an opposite face of said mounting wheel.

50. The appliance of claim 46 wherein said tubing locating and stabilizing structure includes means slidably receivable at selected drive tool structure for selected positioning of said tubing locating and stabilizing structure relative to the driving head of the driving tool.

51. A tubing manipulating appliance for selected rotation by a nut driving tool comprising: a tubing engaging portion adapted to manipulate tubing received thereat in a selected manner; and a faceted engagable portion associated with said tubing engaging portion for common rotation therewith in at least a first direction, said engagable portion receivable at the nut driving tool.

52. The appliance of claim 51 wherein said engaging portion includes a one way roller clutch allowing rotation of tubing received thereat in one direction of appliance rotation and rotation of said engaging portion relative to the tubing in an opposite direction of appliance rotation.

53. The appliance of claim 51 wherein said tubing engaging portion includes first and second one way roller clutch assemblies configured so that tubing received thereat is rotatable in either direction of appliance rotation by the nut driving tool.

54. The appliance of claim 53 wherein said engagable portion and said engaging portion are integrated structures with said engagable portion defined at an outer circumference of said engaging portion.

55. The appliance of claim 51 wherein said engaging portion includes a tubing guide fixed at a mounting wheel .

56. The appliance of claim 55 wherein said tubing guide includes a selected diameter first guide portion centrally located at one face of said mounting wheel and a second guide portion spaced from said first guide portion at said one face, said engagable portion centrally located at an opposite face of said mounting wheel .