Patent ID: 8887543

Claim:
A tool for physically modifying an open end of a portion of metallic tubing, comprising: (a) a clamping structure including dual clamping bodies mounted for movement between a proximal tube retaining position with respect to one another and a distal tube releasing position with respect to one another, the clamping bodies having opposing side surfaces and elongated projecting members extending from the clamping bodies laterally with respect to one another, the opposing side surfaces and elongated projecting members having opposing tube engaging channels defined thereon, wherein the opposing tube engaging channels engage the portion of metallic tubing upon the dual clamping bodies being moved to the proximal tube retaining position; (b) a force transfer adapter including a substantially cylindrical projection having a diameter at least less than the diameter of the open end of the portion of metallic tubing and a contact disc having a diameter at least greater than the diameter of the open end of the portion of metallic tubing, the contact disc having a conical receiving cavity and an opposing surface in contact with the circular edge of the open end of the portion of the metallic tubing; (c) an elongated force applying member having a tapered end; and (d) an elongated yoke including a first end, an opposing second end, and a longitudinal bore with a radially inner shoulder defined therein, the longitudinal bore having a first bore diameter configured and dimensioned for receiving the contact disc axially to the radially inner shoulder, the longitudinal bore having a second bore diameter from the second end to the radially inner shoulder configured and dimensioned for receiving the force applying member and guiding the tapered end of the force applying member into contact with the conical receiving cavity of the force transfer adapter, wherein the first end of the yoke and the projecting members each include cooperating features for facilitating a non-permanent engagement with one another when the clamping bodies are in the proximal retaining position, and wherein the second end of the yoke and the force applying member include cooperating features for facilitating the gradual application of force to the contact disc.