Abstract:
A tool kit for forming a double flare on the end of deformable tubing includes a jig or bar assembly for holding the tubing, a combination gauge and tube forming anvil or adapter and a cone and yoke assembly. The gauge and tube forming anvil includes a lateral flange which is used to set the amount of extension of tubing from the bar assembly prior to deformation of the tubing by the adapter or anvil.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to tool set for forming the end of metallic tubing, and more particularly, to a tool set for forming a double flare on the end of deformable tubing, particularly metal tubing. 
     Vehicle brace lines, transmission lines, fuel lines and the like, typically use metal tubing with one or both ends formed with a double flare bend and a formed seat. That is, such tubing is generally metal tubing, and the open end is typically deformed to flare outwardly and then inwardly with a seat defined at the outer end surface of the tubing on the inwardly deformed portion. The double flare and seat is desired in order to effect a seal between the tubing and a fitting and to enhance the retention of the tubing by the fitting. 
     Various tool sets are available for flaring thin wall tubing of steel, aluminum or copper. The tool set typically includes a bar or jig assembly which holds the tubing in a fixed position with the end of the tubing projecting a fixed distance outwardly from the jig or holding bar. An adapter or anvil is provided for each size of tubing to deform the end of the tubing into a double flare form. A yoke assembly is provided for driving the anvil or adapter against the end of tubing to effect desired deformation and for finishing the seating surface at the end of the tubing. FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  of the present application illustrate a prior art double flare tool set of the type referenced. 
     The adapters or anvils used in the prior art tool sets are generally comprised of a series of cylindrical sections having a common axis with a cylindrical stud projecting from one end and a detent surface at the opposite end. The adapter thus typically includes three cylindrical sections of increasing diameter beginning with the stud which has a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of tubing to be formed. The opposite end cylindrical section has an axial extent corresponding to the distance the tubing to be formed must extend from the jig or holding bar. The middle cylindrical section has a surface or land adjacent and transverse to the stud for deforming the end of tubing. 
     A problem encountered with such a construction relates to the opposite end cylindrical section. That end section may not accurately provide a means to control the amount of tubing extending from the bar assembly or jig. Visual alignment is required with the prior art tool set and such alignment is not highly accurate. Thus, there has remained a need to provide an improved means for positioning tubing to be deformed within the jig or holder bar. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention comprises a tool kit or set which includes a jig or bar assembly for holding a length of tubing, a combination gauge and tube forming anvil or adapter and a yoke and cone assembly for driving the adapter and forming the end of a tube or tubing in a double flare configuration. The combination gauge and tube forming anvil includes a projecting stud extending axially from a cylindrical, center body section. Surrounding the base of the stud at the connection to the body section is an annular shaping surface. The opposite side of the center body section defines a datum plane or land. A third coaxial, cylindrical section of lesser diameter extends from the cylindrical center body section thus defining a radially projecting flange spaced from the datum plane to the distal end of the adapter thereby defining a distance correlated to the diameter of a tube to be deformed by the adapter or anvil. The outer end of the anvil opposite the stud includes an axial recess for receiving a driving member associated with the cone and yoke assembly. 
     In operation or use, the adapter or anvil is placed upon the bar assembly or jig with the outer surface or distal end resting on the bar assembly or jig and the center flange projecting over an opening through the jig wherein a tube is positioned. The flange of the adapter thus provides a limit or stop (datum plane) for the tube extending through the bar assembly or jig. The position of the flange relative to the distal end surface of the adapter is correlated with the size of the tubing to be formed. Upon positioning a tube in the jig or bar assembly, and adjusting its extent or projection from the surface of the assembly, the bar assembly is tightened about the tubing to hold it rigidly in place. Thereafter, the adapter or anvil, and more particularly, the stud is fitted into the tubing and driven against the end of the tubing by the cone and yoke assembly. This step deforms the end of the tubing in a double fold or double flare. The adapter or anvil is then removed and the cone assembly is directly impinged against the end of the tubing to deform and form the seat in the end of the tubing. The construction of the adapter or anvil with the center flange that limits or provides a stop against which the tubing is engaged enables close and exact positioning of the tubing in the jig or bar assembly so that during the flaring operation, bending of the end of the tubing will be effected in a correct manner in each instance. 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved double flare tool kit or set. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a double flare tool kit which enables positioning of a tube, and more particularly, the end of a tube in an exact and fixed position in a jig or bar assembly for engagement by an adapter or anvil to effect the double flare bend in the end of the tube. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide an economical, easy to use, rugged double flare tool kit wherein in the results associated with use of the kit are highly reproducible and exact. 
     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the prior art bar assembly or jig in combination with a prior art adapter or anvil, yoke and cone demonstrating and illustrating the use thereof; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the construction of FIG. 1 illustrating the step of utilizing the adapter to deform the end of tubing with a double flare bend; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the prior art tool kit operating further step to complete the double flare bend of tubing; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the improved tool of the invention including the adapter or anvil; 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the tool kit of FIG. 4 illustrating a further step in the use thereof, 
     FIG. 6 is a further diagrammatic view illustrating the next sequential step in the use of the tool kit of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the bar assembly used in the embodiment of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of a typical adapter incorporated in the kit of FIGS. 4,  5  and  6 ; 
     FIG. 9 is a side cross sectional view of the anvil or adapter of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a top end view of the adapter of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of the yoke and cone assembly used in the kit of the invention; and 
     FIG. 12 is an isometric view illustrating the manner of use of the kit of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  depict component parts of a prior art kit for forming a double flare in tubing. Referring to FIG. 1, a bar assembly or jig  20  includes a first rectangular cross section bar  22  and a second opposed bar  24  of similar size and shape. The bars  22  and  24  are generally equal in shape and size and each includes a series of opposed semi-cylindrical openings such as openings  26  and  28 , pairs of which define a circular passage through the bars  22  and  24  when the bars are facing or opposed to one another. The bars  22  and  24  are held together by a stud or studs  30  each cooperative with a nut  32  and washer  34 . First and second studs  30  are thus provided at opposite ends of the bars  22 ,  24 . Tubing  36  may be inserted into a compatably sized passage, such as the passage defined by opposed openings  26  or  28 , and the bars  22 ,  24  may be tightly engaged one against the other to retain tubing  36  tightly in the relevant compatible passage. Thus, the openings  26  and  28  are slightly undersized so as to retain compatible sized tubing  36  tightly therebetween. 
     To effect a double flare bend in thin steel tubing, aluminum tubing or copper tubing of the type which is used in various automotive and vehicle applications, a mechanic must first insert the tubing  36  through the passage defined by the semi cylindrical openings  26 ,  28  for the associated tubing size. It is noted that the bars  22 ,  24  include a frustoconical relief, surface section  35  around each opening  26 ,  28 . Tubing  36  extends a fixed distance  38  above the plane defined by the sides of the bar  22 ,  24  adjacent the relief section  35 . 
     Next, one positions a prior art adapter  40  adjacent the tubing  36  in the jig  20 . Adapter  40  includes a center stud  42 , a center line axis  44 , a body section  46  having a large diameter lower cylindrical section  48  and a smaller diameter cylindrical outer section  50  with a tube forming surface  52  in the annular region of the section  50  at the base of the stud  42 . The adapter or anvil  40  is thus placed on the flat surface of the bar assembly  20  and the top edge of tubing or tube  36  is aligned with the juncture between the cylindrical sections  48  and  50  of adapter  40 . This adjustment is a visual adjustment to extend the tubing  36  appropriately above the surface of the bar assembly  20 . 
     Thereafter, the adaptor  40  is positioned over the end of the tubing  36  as depicted in FIG. 2 with the stud  42  fitted into the tubing. A cone assembly comprising a driving cone  60  held by a yoke  61  is then driven against the adapter  40  to cause the tube forming surface  52  to form a double bend in the end of the tubing  36  since the tubing has been rigidly retained in the bar assembly  20 . The adapter  40  or anvil  40  includes a coaxial recess or detent  55  in its bottom surface into which the cone  60  may fit in order to drive the adapter  40 . 
     Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the adapter  40  may be removed and the cone  60 , and more particularly, the conical surface  62  may be impinged against the end of the double flared tubing  36  to form a seating surface for a fitting. In this manner, the tubing  36  is provided with a double flare end and seal surface. 
     With the prior art construction, difficulty arises due to visual alignment or misalignment of the end of the tubing  36  relative to the jig  20 . Alignment thus may not be accurate. As a result, a double flare bend may not be appropriately formed. With the present invention, a new type of adapter or anvil  66  is provided. Specifically, the adapter or anvil  66  includes a center line axis  68 , a projecting stud  70  at one end, a tube forming surface  72  defined by a center body section  74  comprising a cylindrical flange  76 , and an opposite end cylindrical section  78  of lesser diameter than center section  74 . The end cylindrical section  78  terminates with a distal end surface  80  transverse to axis  68 . All the sections  70 ,  74 ,  78  are coaxial and cylindrical. A coaxial recess  82  is formed in the distal end surface  80 . 
     The driving cone  60  and yoke  61  are the same as previously described. Thus, the yoke  61  includes spaced arms  84  and  86  with inwardly extending guide members  88  and  90  which fit into appropriate matching slots or channels  92  and  94  of the bar or jig  20 . A threaded pusher screw  96  is threadably inserted into the yoke  61  to drive the cone  60 . The driving cone  60  includes a pointed end  63  adapted to engage the recess  82  formed in the datum plane  80  of the adapter  66 . 
     Thus in use of the kit comprised of the bar assembly, adapter  66  and yoke  61  as well as cone  60 , tubing  36  is first placed in the bar assembly  20  as shown in FIG.  4 . The flange  78  then defines a stop against which the top end of the tubing  36 , namely end  38 , will extend in order to project from the bar assembly  20 . This is effected by positioning of the distal end surface  80  on the top of the bar assembly  20  as the tubing  36  projects through the appropriate opening in the bar assembly  20  and impinging the end  38  of the tubing  36  against the flange  76 , i.e., the datum plane  77  thereof. The nuts  32  are then tightened to rigidly hold the tubing  36  in place. The yoke  61  is guided into the channels  92  and  94 . Thereafter, the adapter  66  is positioned in the tubing  36  as shown in FIG. 5, and the cone  60  positioned over the adapter  66  to engage the recess  82 . The screw  96  of yoke  61  is tightened to cause the cone  60  to drive the adapter  66  to deform the end of the tubing  36 . The frustoconical surface  35  defines an outward flare as shown in FIG.  5  and the forming surface  72  of adapter  66  defines the inward flare, again, as shown in FIG.  5 . Thereafter, the adapter  66  is removed as shown in FIG.  6  and the cone  60 , and more particularly, the conical surface  62  thereof is impinged against the outer end  38  of the tubing to provide a seat having a face which matches the inclination of the cone surface  62 . 
     With the adapter  66  of the present invention, therefore, the position or extension of the tubing  36 , namely, end  38 , is precisely and uniformly effected in every instance. Thus, the double flare is precisely formed for engagement with a fitting or other connector associated with a vehicle system such as a brake fluid system or the like. 
     It is possible to vary the component parts of the invention. For example, different types of bar assemblies and/or even cone assemblies may be utilized. The invention is therefore to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.