Patent ID: 7210325

Claim:
A partial thread forming apparatus for forming partial threads on a tube, the apparatus comprising: a base having a first arm and a second arm spaced from the first arm; a prime motive apparatus fixed relative to the base and having a controllable shaft extending therefrom; and a thread forming assembly located generally between the first arm and the second arm and including a first end plate connected to and movable by the controllable shaft, a second end plate affixed to the second arm, an internal die located between the first and second end plates and sized to be insertable within the tube, a first external die mounted to the first end plate and having a first flange with a first forming surface extending toward the internal die, a second external die mounted to the second end plate and having a second flange with a second forming surface extending toward the internal die, a first stripper piece elastically coupled to the first end plate and including a first securing surface extending adjacent to the first forming surface and adapted to support the tube, and a second stripper piece elastically coupled to the second end plate and including a second securing surface extending adjacent to the second forming surface and adapted to support the tube.