Patent ID: 6854313
Filing Date: 2005-02-15
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for crimping/bending a tube comprising: a frame including a female die, a toggle assembly mounted on said frame and having male dies that, in cooperation with said female die, crimp said tube, and a carriage assembly having a receiving element slidably mounted on said frame, a carriage shaft carried on said receiving element and engaging said frame to move said carriage assembly relative to said frame, a carriage handle rotably mounted on said carriage shaft and means for coupling said carriage handle to said carriage shaft, said means for coupling having a first configuration wherein said carriage handle engages and turns said carriage shaft when turned in a first direction and rotates freely relative to said carriage shaft when turned in an opposite second direction, and a second configuration wherein said carriage handle rotates freely relative to said carriage shaft in both directions, whereby said toggle and carriage assemblies are actuated alternately, crimping then advancing and folding said tube, to a plurality of folds in said tube, thereby bending said tube.