Patent ID: 6631544
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: B21D,B21J,B21K,B23P,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for attaching an end member (20) to the end of a hollow shaft member (10), comprising the steps of:(1) providing a cylindrical hollow shaft member (10) made of soft metal and having an inner wall surface formed at an inside diameter relative to an axis thereof and having an outer circumferential surface; (2) providing a cylindrical end member (20) made of hard metal and having an outer circumferential surface formed at an outside diameter about an axis thereof such that a substantially coaxial relationship occurs when the end member (20) is inserted into an end of the hollow shaft member (10), said end member (20) having a circumferential groove (21) formed therein at a predetermined distance from an end thereof, the groove (21) having a bottom surface substantially coaxial with the axis of the end member (20); (3) inserting the end member (20) into the end of the hollow shaft member (10) a sufficient distance so that the groove (21) is within the end of the hollow shaft member (10); (4) constraining the outer circumferential surface of the hollow shaft member (10) in a close-fitting circular die to prevent expansion thereof in an outward direction; and (5) pressing at least three circumferentially spaced portions of the hollow shaft member (10) into the groove (21) of the end member (20) using at least three respective rod-type pressing members (39a,39b,39c) while the outer circumferential surface thereof is constrained from expansion in the outward direction so that at least three circumferentially spaced portions of the hollow shaft member (10) are forcibly pressed into engagement with the bottom surface of the groove (21) to thereby attach the end member (20) to the end of the hollow shaft member (10), the three circumferentially spaced portions of the hollow shaft member forcibly pressed into engagement with the bottom surface of the groove (21) being circumferentially separated from one another. 2.The method for installing an end member (20) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one protrusion (22) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the end member (20) and extending outwardly therefrom.