Patent ID: 7650772
Filing Date: 2010-01-26
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
1. A tool for flaring an open end of a hollow metal tube having an inner diameter, the tool comprising: an elongated body having two opposite end portions and a longitudinal axis extending between the opposite end portions, one end portion of said body defining an elongated working surface having two opposite ends, the working surface has a major portion which extends between the two opposite ends thereof and which is conical in shape so that one end of the working surface is a smaller end and the other end of the working surface is a larger end, the smaller end of the working surface is adapted to be received by an open end of a hollow metal tube when inserted therein and wherein the working surface further includes at least two smooth-surfaced protuberances which are regularly spaced around the working surface and which extend along the entire length of the working surface between the larger and smaller ends thereof; wherein the one end portion of said body further includes a cylindrical tip section which is joined to and extends axially of the working surface from the smaller end thereof and which has a cylindrical surface which has a diameter which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the open end of the hollow metal tube to be flared by the tool for acceptance by the open end of the hollow metal tube when inserted therein so that by rotating the tool about its longitudinal axis, inserting the cylindrical tip section into the open end of the hollow metal tube, and urging the smooth-surfaced protuberances into engagement with the open end of the metal tube, the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical tip section maintains the working surface in axial alignment with the metal tube and the open end of the metal tube is flared by the working surface; and the one end portion further includes cylindrical dowel pins having surfaces and a remainder within which the cylindrical dowel pins are rotatably captured, and wherein the smooth-surfaced protuberances are provided by the surfaces of the cylindrical dowel pins which are rotatably captured within the remainder of the one end portion to accommodate rotation of the dowel pins about rotation axes and relative to the remainder of the one end portion when the tool is rotated about its longitudinal axis and the surfaces of the cylindrical dowel pins are urged into engagement with the open end of the metal tube and wherein the rotation axis of each dowel pins forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the tool.