Abstract:
One embodiment of a modular combination press and puller tool consisting of a tool body ( 4 ) comprising a tubular element open at both ends and with a plurality of elongated fins radially displaced on the outer surface of the tubular element, with the long axis of the fins parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular element, the fins having a plurality of apertures, and one end of the tubular element at least partially threaded ( 16 ) on the internal diameter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/517,052, filed 2011 Apr. 11 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
     The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Pat. No. 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 2,267,662 
                 B1 
                 Dec. 23, 1941 
                 Miller 
               
               
                   
                 2,387,839 
                 B1 
                 Oct. 30, 1945 
                 Frost 
               
               
                   
                 2,742,853 
                 B1 
                 Apr. 24, 1956 
                 Knelson 
               
               
                   
                 3,283,699 
                 B1 
                 Nov. 8, 1966 
                 Hawkins 
               
               
                   
                 3,307,830 
                 B1 
                 Mar. 7, 1967 
                 Van Allen 
               
               
                   
                 3,908,258 
                 B1 
                 Sep. 30, 1975 
                 Barty 
               
               
                   
                 5,906,155 
                 B1 
                 May 25, 1999 
                 Hammond 
               
               
                   
                 6,266,861 
                 B2 
                 Jul. 31, 2001 
                 Chen 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Hydraulic presses and pullers are important tools in many industries. They are used to assemble and disassemble components that are frictionally fitted to each other, and are often used to bend and or plastically deform metallic and non-metallic workpieces. A number of different designs of press frames and power sources have been employed in the prior art, but the functional differences are minor. The frames of conventional presses are classified as either “H-frames” or “C-frames” because they resemble the letters C or H. U.S. Pat. No. 2,267,662 to Miller (1941), 2387839 to Frost (1945), 2742853 to Knelson (1956), and 3283699 to Hawkins (1966) are examples of H-frames, while U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,155 to Hammond (1999) is an example of a C-frame press. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,283,699 to Hawkins is typical of the conventional H-frame presses that are commercially available. It uses a hydraulic jack as a power source and a pressing pin that are constrained by guide pins to move only in the vertical axis. The pressing pin or other work engaging tools employed must only apply force in the direction of the axis of the pin, offset loading may bend the pin and poses a danger of forcibly ejecting the workpiece from the press. 
     Their frames must be sized to accommodate the largest workpieces anticipated, thus the frame is more costly and bulky than necessary. The position of the hydraulic jack and pressing pin are fixed in relation to the frame members, this lack of lateral adjustability often interferes with optimal orientation of the workpiece in the press. The presses described above are dedicated in their functionality, they cannot be configured as standalone or portable pullers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,307,830 to Van Allen (1967) addresses some of the above cited disadvantages and can be configured as either a press or a puller. It has a hydraulic cylinder that can be displaced laterally within the press frame, and the hydraulic pump is separate from the hydraulic cylinder. Van Allen also describes a press frame whose dimensions can be varied, but it is a complex design and thus overly expensive to manufacture. It is essentially two separate H-frames that are joined by bridging members. Van Allen&#39;s patent suggests that when configured as a puller the hydraulic cylinder and the crosshead mounted to the end cap of the cylinder be dismounted from the press frame and used as the basis of the puller. In practice this is a disadvantage because the crosshead as used in the press is in most cases much larger than desired in the puller configuration, necessitating the purchase of multiple sizes of crosshead 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment a modular combination press and puller comprising a tubular element open at both ends and with a plurality of elongated fins radially displaced on the outer surface of the tubular element, with the long axis of the fins parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular element, and one end of the tubular element at least partially threaded on the internal and or external diameter. The tubular element optionally containing at least one elongated aperture communicating between its exterior and interior surfaces. 
     Advantages 
     Accordingly several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: a tool that can be readily configured to perform many different pressing, bending, and pulling operations, that can be operated with or without attachment to a separate frame or support structure, that is portable and can be held in the hand during operation, that provides a simple and versatile means of attaching to any form of press frame or other structure, that can attach a hydraulic cylinder to the tool in multiple orientations, that can resist very large lateral bending moments applied to a displaceable ram, that is particularly adaptable to the attachment of any type of work engaging arms and other appliances. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a hydraulic cylinder, tool body, and ram extension in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the tool body and a hydraulic cylinder oriented in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the tool body. 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross section of the tool body taken at section A-A of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the tool body employing a tubular element of square cross section. 
         FIG. 6  shows a partial cutaway view of the assembled elements of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  when the embodiment is in the retracted or inoperative position. 
         FIG. 7  shows a partial cutaway view of the assembled elements of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  when the embodiment is in the extended or operative position. 
         FIG. 8  shows an alternate embodiment with the hydraulic cylinder positioned within the tubular element of the tool body, when the embodiment is in the retracted or inoperative position. 
         FIG. 9  shows the embodiment of  FIG. 8  in the extended or operative position. 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6  when configured to perform bending using the three pin method that is well known to the art. 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of the tool body attached to one form of C-frame press structure. 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of an adapter to attach the tool body to the column of the C-frame press structure shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of an adapter to connect the column and horizontal base of the C-frame press structure shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of a work support block of the C-frame press structure shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an adapter to attach one embodiment of the tool to a conventional H-frame press frame (not shown). 
         FIG. 16  is an elevation view of the adapter shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view of the adapter shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  shows a perspective and partial cutaway view of one embodiment of an alternative power source for one embodiment of the tool, attachable to the tool in the same manner as the hydraulic cylinder used in other embodiments. 
         FIG. 19  shows a cross sectional view taken at section B-B of  FIG. 18  of one embodiment of an alternate power source for the tool. 
         FIG. 20  shows a cross sectional view taken at section A-A of  FIG. 18  of one embodiment of an alternate power source for the tool. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Drawings - List of Reference Numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                  2 
                 Hydraulic cylinder 
                  4 
                 Tool body 
               
               
                  5 
                 Aperture 
                  6 
                 Guided ram extension 
               
               
                  7 
                 Aperture 
                  8 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 10 
                 Nosepiece 
                 12 
                 Spring plunger 
               
               
                 14 
                 Hydraulic cylinder ram 
                 16 
                 Internally threaded aperture 
               
               
                 18 
                 Additional embodiment  
                 20 
                 Cylinder adapter for Additional 
               
               
                   
                 of tool body 
                   
                 embodiment of tool body 
               
               
                 22 
                 Threaded nosepiece 
                 24 
                 Pin 
               
               
                 26 
                 Pin 
                 28 
                 Tool body adapter 
               
               
                 30 
                 Coupling pin 
                 34 
                 Base 
               
               
                 36 
                 Coupling 
                 38 
                 Reaction block 
               
               
                 40 
                 Housing 
                 42 
                 Step block 
               
               
                 44 
                 Axle 
                 46 
                 H - frame adapter 
               
               
                 48 
                 Base plate 
                 50 
                 Side plate 
               
               
                 52 
                 Mounting flange 
                 54 
                 Block 
               
               
                 56 
                 Aperture 
                 58 
                 H - frame member 
               
               
                 60 
                 Elongated aperture 
                 62 
                 Aperture 
               
               
                 64 
                 Mechanical ram 
                 66 
                 Housing 
               
               
                 68 
                 Threaded sleeve 
                 70 
                 Retainer 
               
               
                 72 
                 Bearing 
                 74 
                 Bearing 
               
               
                 76 
                 Eccentric 
                 78  
                 Shaft 
               
               
                 80 
                 Connecting rod 
                 82  
                 Aperture 
               
               
                 84 
                 Pin 
                 86 
                 Crosshead 
               
               
                 88 
                 Internal thread 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1 - 4 ,  6 - 17   
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a tool body constructed in accordance with one embodiment. The tool body  4  is an elongated tubular element of predetermined cross section. Possible cross sections include round, square, rectangular, and other shapes. Emanating from the exterior surface of said elongated tubular element is a plurality of fins in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular element. One end of the elongated tubular element is at least partially threaded internally  16  to receive the externally threaded attaching surface of the hydraulic cylinder  2 . There is at least one elongated aperture  60  that communicates with the inner diameter and the exterior surface of tool body  4 . A ram extension  6  of predetermined cross section is so proportioned as to be displaceable within the inner diameter of tool body  4 , with the ram extension  6  accessible via the elongated aperture  60 . One end of ram extension  6  has an aperture  5  through which the threaded portion of bolt  8  passes to couple ram extension  6  to the ram of hydraulic cylinder  2 . Ram extension  6  has a plurality of apertures  7  radially disposed and whose axes are at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the ram extension. Nosepiece  10  is retained in the bore of ram extension  6  by spring plunger  12 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of tool body  4  and hydraulic cylinder  2  configured such that hydraulic cylinder  2  is disposed within the inner diameter of tool body  4  and threadably engaged with the internally threaded aperture  16  such that the ram  14  of hydraulic cylinder  2  is exposed on the surface of tool body  4 . 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of tool body  4  and showing a plurality of apertures  62  in the fins of tool body  4 . Also shown are the elongated aperture  60  and the at least partially internally threaded inner diameter  16  of tool body  4 . The apertures  62  are so arranged that members may be passed through the coaxially located apertures  62  in adjacent fins. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross section view of section A-A of  FIG. 3  showing the at least partially threaded inner diameter  16  of tool body  4  along with the elongated aperture  60  and the plurality of apertures  62 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tool body  18  whose elongated tubular element is of square cross section, which necessitates the use of hydraulic cylinder adapter  20 . 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view in the non-operative position showing the hydraulic cylinder  2  attached to tool body  4  with the ram extension  6  connected to the ram  14  of hydraulic cylinder  2  by means of bolt  8 . Nosepiece  10  is frictionally retained in the end of ram extension  6  by spring plunger  12 . 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view in the operative position showing the hydraulic cylinder  2  attached to tool body  4  with the ram extension  6  connected to the ram  14  of hydraulic cylinder  2  by means of bolt  8 . Nosepiece  10  is frictionally retained in the end of ram extension  6  by spring plunger  12 . The ram extension  6  and ram  14  are disposed in the direction of the arrow. 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view in the inoperative position showing the hydraulic cylinder  2  positioned within the inner diameter of the elongated tubular member of tool body  4  and threadably engaged with the at least partially internally threaded inner diameter  16 . 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view in the operative position showing the hydraulic cylinder  2  positioned within the inner diameter of the elongated tubular member of tool body  4  and threadably engaged with the at least partially internally threaded inner diameter  16 . In this view the ram  14  carrying nosepiece  22  is advanced in the direction of the arrow. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the invention configured as an open side press using the tool body  4  as a press frame. Pin  24  is inserted into ram extension  6 , which is connected to the ram of hydraulic cylinder  2 . Pins  26  are inserted into apertures in the fins of tool body  4  and act as stationary supports for the workpiece and transfer reaction forces to the tool body  4 . Hydraulic cylinder  2  when in the operative position advances ram extension  6  carrying pin  24  towards stationary pins  26 , thus applying mechanical force to a workpiece positioned between pins  26  and pin  24 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the invention configured as a C-frame press. tool body  4  is attached to a vertical column  32  by means of press head adapter  28 , which is secured to column  32  by means of pin  30 . Column  23  is connected to the base  34  by means of coupling  36  and pin  30 . Base  34  carries a plurality of reaction blocks  38 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of tool body adapter  28 . 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of coupling  36 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of reaction block  38  comprised of housing  40  that carries step block  42  on axle  44 . 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an adapter  46  for a conventional H-frame press comprised of base plate  48  containing an aperture  56  and a plurality of side plates  50  to which are attached a plurality of mounting flanges  52  and blocks  54 . 
       FIG. 16  is an elevation view of the H-frame adapter  46  attached to H-frame members  58  and restrained against the force of gravity by blocks  54 . Hydraulic cylinder  2  is threadably engaged with tool body  4 , which is secured to H-frame adapter  46 . Ram  14  of the hydraulic cylinder  2  extends through aperture  56 . 
       FIG. 17  is a plan view of H-frame adapter  46  showing tool body adapter  4  located between the mounting flanges  52 . 
     FIGS.  18 - 20   
     Alternate Power Source 
     There are situations in which the risk of leaks of hydraulic oil is unacceptable and therefore a totally mechanical source of power for the pressing and bending operations is necessary. One embodiment provides for this by means of a mechanical ram apparatus that screws into the press head in place of the hydraulic cylinder. This has the advantage of allowing the same tool body to be used with either a hydraulic cylinder or a mechanical power source, as appropriate for the particular operation being performed. 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective sectional view of a mechanical ram  64  comprised of a housing  66  with an aperture in its base through which externally threaded sleeve  68  passes. Sleeve  68  is retained in housing  66  by retainer  70  and the sleeve is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. Housing  66  has a plurality of bearings  72  through the inner diameters of which is passed a shaft  78  to which is affixed eccentric  76 . One end of connecting rod  80  carries bearing  74  whose inner diameter is in contact with the periphery of eccentric  76  and the other end of said connecting rod is within the inner diameter of externally threaded sleeve  68 . Rotation of the eccentric  76  by means of shaft  78  causes connecting rod  80  to reciprocate within the inner diameter of externally threaded sleeve  68 . 
       FIG. 19  is a sectional view of section B-B of  FIG. 18 . Housing  66  has an aperture in its base through which externally threaded sleeve  68  passes and is retained in the housing by retainers  70  thus allowing sleeve  68  to rotate about its longitudinal axis. One end of connecting rod  80  carries a bearing  74  whose inner diameter is in contact with eccentric  76  which is affixed to shaft  78 . The other end of connecting rod  80  is rotatably coupled to crosshead  86  by means of pin  84 . Rotation of shaft  78  and eccentric  76  imparts a reciprocating motion to crosshead  86  by means of connecting rod  80  and pin  84 . Internal thread  88  is a means of connecting crosshead  86  to elements intended to receive the reciprocating motion of the crosshead. 
       FIG. 20  is a sectional view of section A-A of  FIG. 18 . Housing  66  has an aperture in its base through which externally threaded sleeve  68  passes and is retained in the housing by retainers  70  thus allowing sleeve  68  to rotate about its longitudinal axis. Eccentric  76  is affixed to shaft  76 , which passes through the inner diameters of bearings  72 . One end of connecting rod  80  carries a bearing  74  whose inner diameter is in contact with eccentric  76  which is affixed to shaft  78 . The other end of connecting rod  80  is rotatably coupled to crosshead  86  by means of pin  84 . Rotation of shaft  78  and eccentric  76  imparts a reciprocating motion to crosshead  86  by means of connecting rod  80  and pin  84 . Internal thread  88  is a means of connecting crosshead  86  to elements intended to receive the reciprocating motion of the crosshead. Aperture  82  is intended to receive a pin (not shown) used to secure an operating handle (not shown) to shaft  78  to impart rotation to the shaft. 
     Operation— 
     In operation the hydraulic cylinder  2 ; the mechanical ram  64 , or another power source will be attached to the internal thread  16  of the tool body  4 . In one embodiment a source of hydraulic pressure controlled by the operator will be connected to the hydraulic cylinder  2 . When the mechanical ram  64  is used the operating force will be supplied by means of a handle (not shown), or other device manipulated by the operator. 
     One embodiment will most often be used in one or more of the configurations shown in  FIGS. 10, 11 and 16 . The open side configuration of  FIG. 10  is particularly suited to hand held use because of its compact size. It is also particularly suited to bending elements of ornamental metal panels and scrollwork that is most effectively worked from the side of the work piece. It is also contemplated that the user will devise various nosepieces, pulling jaws, arms and other elements that will be attached to the apertures of the tool body  4  and the ram extension  6 . 
     The operation in the configurations shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8  is similar. The significant difference between them is the presence or non-presence of the ram extension  6 . The configuration shown in  FIG. 8  is suited to basic pressing operations where a simple nosepiece  22  will be used to apply force to the workpiece and where offset loads that would damage the ram  14  of the hydraulic cylinder  2 . are not present. The configuration shown in  FIG. 6  offers significant versatility and flexibility by using the ram extension  6  and the apertures thereof to attach different nosepieces  10  or other elements so as to best suit the operation being performed. The configuration of  FIG. 6  is also particularly suited to conditions where side loading forces must be resisted. 
     The configurations shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8  may be used in both the C-frame press of  FIG. 11  and a conventional H-frame press (not shown), the choice being influenced by the nature of the workpiece and the operation to be performed. 
     When using the mechanical ram  64  as shown in  FIGS. 18, 19, 20 , the internal thread  88  of crosshead  86  will be coupled to a ram extension or other element. Rotation of the threaded sleeve  68  is used to accomplish range adjustment of crosshead travel in between the discrete positions afforded by elements inserted through the apertures of the tool body  4  or when the press head body is attached to external press frames. 
     FIG.  5   
     Alternate Embodiment 
     An alternate embodiment of the tool having a tubular element of square cross section is shown in  FIG. 5 , comprising a tool body  18  and an adapter block  20 . It is contemplated that there may be situations where the square cross section will be advantageous. Operation of the alternate embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. 
     CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the combination press and puller tool provides a versatile tool that can be configured for either hand held use or mounted to any type of press structure. Any type of work engaging arms or appliances may be readily attached to the tool, and it is particularly easy for users to attach work engaging appliances of their own design to the tool. 
     While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of several embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the cross section of the tubular element can be rectangular, and can have an externally threaded portion with or without the internally threaded portion. 
     Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.