Patent ID: 9079235
Filing Date: 2015-07-14
Classification: B21D,B21J,B21K,B23P,F01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tool assembly for forming a workpiece with an initial outer profile at least partially defined by an outer surface thereof at an initial position into a housing with a non-round design outer profile at least partially defined by the outer surface at a design position reduced from the initial position thereof, the tool assembly comprising: a ring portion comprising a bore therein at least partially defined by an inner surface; an insert portion comprising: each said jaw segment comprising an internal surface for engaging the outer surface and an at least partially tapered external surface for sliding engagement with the inner surface of the ring portion; the jaw segments being movable along respective substantially straight predetermined paths between a first condition, in which the internal surfaces of the jaw segments at least partially define an opening in which the workpiece is receivable, and a second condition, in which the internal surfaces of the jaw segments substantially define the design position of the outer surface; each said predetermined path extending at an angle normal to said internal surface of the respective jaw segment therefor; the predetermined paths being aligned with a plurality of preselected end points, respectively, said preselected end points being respective points of convergence of said predetermined paths for the jaw segments in the respective groups of jaw segments, and each of the preselected end points being located physically and spatially separate from each other; each said group of said jaw segments being associated with a selected one of said preselected end points, each said jaw segment in each said group being movable along the predetermined path therefor toward the selected one of the preselected end points for the group thereof as the jaw segments are moved from the first condition to the second condition; for each of the preselected end points, a radius centered thereon being substantially coincident with a portion of the design outer profile that is substantially defined by the internal surfaces of the jaw segments in the group associated with each said preselected end point respectively, when the jaw segments are in the second condition; the jaw segments being at least partially receivable in the bore of the ring portion; the insert portion being movable relative to the ring portion between an open condition of the tool assembly, in which the back plate is positioned distal to the ring portion, and a closed condition of the tool assembly, in which the back plate is positioned proximal to the ring portion; and when the insert portion moves from the open condition to the closed condition, the inner surface of the ring portion urges the jaw segments inwardly from the first condition to the second condition, causing the jaw segments to engage substantially the entire outer surface of the workpiece and to move the outer surface from the initial position to the design position, reducing the initial outer profile to the design outer profile and forming the workpiece into the housing.