Page 1 of 8
`
`EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES EX. 1222
`Edwards Lifesciences v. Boston Scientific Scimed
`U.S. Patent No. 6,915,560
`
`

`

`Feb. 27, 1968
`
`J. W. SCHUETZ
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POINTING TUBES
`
`3,370,451
`
`Filed June 28, 1965
`
`4 Sheets-Sheet 2
`AES<as,SWS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` INVENTOR.
`
`JAMESW., SCHUE TZ
`
`Merretiion + Mmvnle.
`ATTORNEYS.
`
`Page 2 of 8
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`Page 2 of 8
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`

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`Feb. 27, 1968
`
`Filed June 28, 1965
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POINTING TUBES
`
`4 Sheets-Sheet 3
`
`3,370,451
`
`
`
`
`
`«J. W. SCHUETZ
`
`ATTORNEYS.
`
`
`BY
`‘
`Merrietir~ ~ Konebe.
`
`INVENTOR.
`
`JAMES W. SCHUETZ
`
`Page 3 of 8
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`Page 3 of 8
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`

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`3,370,451
`
`Feb. 27, 1968
`.
`Filed June 28, 1968
`
`
`CETod
`
`
`
`J. W. SCHUETZ
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POINTING TUBES
`.
`4 Sheets-Sheet 4
`
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`JAMES W. SCHUETZ
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`INVENTOR.
`BYGreat, detewe,
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`AT. TORNEYS.
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`Page 4 of 8
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`Page 4 of 8
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`

`

`United States Patent Office
`
`3,370,451
`Patented Feb. 27, 1968
`
`1
`
`10
`
`15
`
`2
`Briefly, a preferred form of apparatus comprises a finid
`operated chuck or similar mechanism that is adapted to
`urge a series of V-shaped gripper jaws or dies radially
`3,379,451
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`inwardly into engagement with the length of tube to be
`POINTING TUBES
`pointed. The jaws each have a series of longitudinally
`James VW. Schuetz, Pitisburgh, Pa., assignor to Blaw-Knox
`spaced points that first engage the tube and thus hold the
`Company, Pitisburgh, Pa,, a corporation of Delaware
`tube against slippage with respect to the dies. As the jaws
`Filed June 28, 1965, Ser. No. 467,235
`move inwardly,
`they fold the tube into a fluted form
`§ Claims. (Cl. 72—402)
`having a maximum dimension sufficiently smaller than
`rr ——
`the original outer diameter of the tube to permit the end
`of the tube readily to be inserted into the drawing die.
`ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
`The folding cperation is completed in one continuous
`Apparatus for pointing metal tubes preparatory to draw-
`movement of the jaws and as soon as the inward move-
`ing them through a die embodying jaw members angular-
`ment of the jaws is completed,
`they are automatically
`ly spaced apart abcut a central axis and adapted to fold
`retracted so that the tube can be removed from the ap-
`the walls of a tube inwardly to produce a tube having an
`paratus ready for drawing through a die.
`end of reduced diameter made up of longitudinally ex-
`As shown in FIGURES1 and 2 of the drawings, a pre-
`tending ribs separated by intervening flutes. The jaws are
`ferred form of apparatus comprises a cylinder 10 sup-
`V-shaped and have sharp, longitudinally spaced projec-
`ported on an appropriate base made up of a horizontal
`tions that first come into engagement with the wall of the
`plate 11 and vertical plates 12 disposed at either end of
`tube and hold ihe tube properly centered during the point-
`the cylinder 19 and having arcuate saddle portions to re-
`in one continuous inward 2
`ing operation which takes place
`ceive the cylinder. The vertical members 12 preferably
`are welded to the base member 11 and the cylinder 10
`stroke of the jaws.
`En
`may be welded to the vertical members 12. The internal
`bore of the cylinder 10 has a rear portion 14 of greatest
`This invention relates to an apparatus and method for
`diameter, an intermediate portion 45 of reduced diameter
`that they may be inserted into dies for +
`pointing tubes so
`and a forward end portion 16 of enlarged diameter as
`drawing the tubes to reduce their diameter.
`compared to the intermediate portion 15, At the front end
`Tt is necessary to provide what is known as a point on
`of the cylinder there is 2 front cylinder head 18 that is
`the end of a tube before it can be drawn through a die
`held in place by a key 19 and an annular ring 26 and
`to reduce its diameter; the point must have an overall
`is prevented from inward movement by a shoulder 21
`transverse dimension such that it readily can be inserted
`in the cylinder bore. There is also a rear cylinder head 22
`through the die and must be long enough so that the pro-
`that is held in place against a shoulder 23 in the cylinder
`jecting end of the point can be grasped by gripper tongs
`bore by a key 24 and a ring 25. The rear cylinder head
`or jawsorthe like on the otherside of the die. Lf the draw-
`is sealed to the cylinder as by 2 conventional O-ring 26.
`ing operation is to be carried out satisfactorily, the point
`In order to form the required points on tubes, a plu-
`and the juncture between the point and the remainder
`rality of angularly spaced gripper jaws 30 are disposed
`of the tube must be nearly as strong as the tube itself
`within the cylinder. Six jaws are shown in the drawings,
`so that the metal will not be pulled apart during the
`but fewer or more jaws can be employed if desired. A
`drawing operation, and the point should be accurately
`tube T is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 to illustrate the
`centered with respect to the tube to prevent distortion
`initial engagement between the jaws and the tubes. In
`of the tube during drawing. Also, the pointing operation
`order to move the jaws 39 inwardly to deform the tube
`should be accomplished quickly and without requiring
`to provide the desired flutes and reduce the diameter
`skill on the part of the operator and the apparatus for
`thereof, a hydraulically operated chuck 31 is disposed
`carrying out the pointing operation should be sturdy, sim-
`within the cylinder 19. Chuck 31 is provided with radial
`ple and capable of being manufactured at reasonable
`slots 32 in which the jaws 36 are slidably mounted and
`cost.A general object of the present invention is to provide
`in order to move the jaws inwardly and outwardly upon
`axial movement of the chuck, the slots 32 are T-shaped
`a machine and method for pointing tubes that meets the
`as shown, with enlarged head openings 33 that are defined
`foregoing requirements. Other objects and advantages of
`by sloping outer camming surfaces 34 and inner camming
`the invention will become apparent from the following
`surfaces 35 that are parallel to the surfaces 34. The jaws
`description of a preferred form thereof, reference being
`30 are provided with T heads 36, preferably composec
`made to the accompanying drawings in which:
`of a material such as bronze in order to reduce friction
`FIGURE 1 is a vertical axial section jllustrating a pre-
`the strips being secured to the jaws by cap screws 37. The
`ferred form of apparatus embodying the present invention.
`forward ends of the jaws are provided with wear plate
`FIGURE 2 is a transverse section taken along line
`38 that bear against the inner surface of the forwar«
`2—2 of FIGURE 1.
`cylinder head 18 while the rear ends of the jaws bea
`FIGURES 3 and 4 are side elevation and end views,
`against a washer 49 that is supported by a plug 414 tha
`respectively, of a typical tube that has been pointed in
`projects inwardly from the rear cylinder head 22. Th
`the illustrated apparatus.
`jaws are prevented from longitudinal movement by th
`FIGURES5 and 6 are side and end elevations, respec-
`front cylinder head 18 and the washer 40 and thus recit
`tively, of one of the gripper jaws used to deform the tube.
`rocating movement of the chuck 31 within the cylinde
`FIGURE 7 illustrates the inner or working face of
`16 will cause the dies to move radially inwardly and ou
`the gripper jaw illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6.
`wardly. The jaws and the chuck are shown in full line
`FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary elevation showing the
`in FIGURE 1 in their fully retracted position; the broke
`initial engagement between the gripper jaws and a tube
`lines in the lower part of FIGURE 1 indicate the inne
`to be pointed.
`FIGURE 9 is a section taken as indicated by line 9—9
`most position of the jaws and the corresponding forwa:
`position of the chuck.
`of FIGURE 8.
`In order to reciprocate the chuck 31 within the cylind
`FIGURE 10 is a similar section, but showing the jaws
`19, the chuck is provided with a rear piston portion |
`in their innermostposition.
`that operates within the bore 14 and also slides alo
`FIGURE 11 is similar to FIGURE 10, but shows 4
`smaller tube, the tube being of the size shown in FIG-
`the plug 41, the piston portion 45 being sealed to t
`URES 3 and 4.
`
`30
`
`Ls a
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`-
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`40
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`70
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`__Pagesof 8
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`Page 5 of 8
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`3,370,451
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`15 of the cylinder, the required seal being provided by a
`packing such as the O-ring 50. With this arrangement,
`admission of fluid under pressure to the space 52 in back
`i
`45 will urge the chuck in the forward direc-
`
`~ 10
`greater than the area of-
`admission of fluid to the space 53 between
`the two piston portions of the chuck will cause the chuck
`to move Tearwardly in the cylinder and thus retract. the
`jaws from the tube with which they have been engaged.
`Suitable fluid conduits 55 and 56 leading to the spaces
`52 and 53, respectively, are provided. These conduits are
`connected to a source of fluid under Pressure through
`appropriate controls which can take any convenient form,
`Preferably, the controls are arranged. so that
`only has io push a ‘button whereuponfluid under pressure
`will be admitted to the space
`
`20
`
`substantially elongate the tube in the axial directions, and
`therefore the cross-sectional area throughout the point is
`substantially the Same as the cross-sectional area of the
`igi
`has nearly the
`The point merges into the original tube as shown at 74,
`the merging Portion being formed by the outwardly flared
`end portions 75 of the gripper jaws 30. The bottom of
`
`duce points such as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 areillus-
`in FIGURES j and 2, and on a larger scale, in
`FIGURES5, 6 and 7. Each jaw member Preferably com-
`prises a body portion 78 having parallel side walls 79
`that are adapted to slide in the radial -slots..32 of the
`chuck. The outer surfaces of the body portions are slanted
`as shown to support the T heads 36. The inner portions
`
`Page6 of 8.
`
`under pressure to the space 53 through the conduit. 56
`and permit fluid to be discharged from the space 52 to
`the sump. This Operation continues until a predetermined
`back pressure is built up in. the conduits leading to the
`Space 53, whereuponthe Pressure is shut off and the
`apparatus is then in condition for another operation,
`Controls capable of performing this type of sequence of
`Operations are wel] known to. those skilled in the art and
`are not described herein.
`-
`In order to limit the retracting stroke of the chuck and
`thus to limit the outward movement of the jaws to a posi-
`tion in which their inner edges define
`i
`i
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
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`22.The inner end of the adjustment shaft 62 has a flange.
`66 that engages the rear surface 67 of piston portion 45
`of the chuck and the outer end of theadjustment shaft 62
`
`55°
`
`L. The guide bar 60 Prevents relative totation between
`the chuck and the cylinder 10,
`The gripper jaws 36
`
`80
`
`ws by the hand wheel
`
`tbe and the outer diameter of the original tube, the maxi-
`um iransverse dimension of the point preferably is in
`nge of from about 75% to about 80% of the outer
`ameter of the tube. The reduced diameter of the point
`
`65
`
`70
`
`75
`
`degrees and the included angle of the V-shaped portion
`of each of the jaw members is preferably also 60 degrees,
`With this arrangement, each side 81 of a V-shaped portion
`lies parallel to a Side 81 of an adjacent jaw member, The
`jaw members, when moved inwardly ‘by the chuck, fold
`the wall of the tube into the form shown, each rib 72
`being made. up. of two thicknesses of tube wall folded
`
`jaws are relieved adjacent the apexes of
`the V’s. as shown at 82, The rélieved portions make it
`Possible to use the same jaws for the tubes of quite small
`diameter as are used for tubes
`maximum capacity
`for which the apparatus is designed. For example, with
`
`é
`V-shaped. points formed
`surface 82, The Projections Preferably are slightly elon-
`gated in the direction Parallel to the
`axi
`Present sharp edges 84 to a tube disposed within the
`jaws. As. shown in the drawing,
`the Projections 77 are
`axially short as compared to the intermediate surfaces §3.
`The manner in which. the jaws form the desired point
`On a tube is illustrated in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10. As
`i
`9; the hand wheel 68 is em-
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`Page 6 of 8
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`

`3,370,451
`
`5
`the chuck. The tube is inserted into the chuck until the
`end of the tube engages the washer 49. Then, as previous-
`ly described, the chuck is actuated to move the jaw mem-
`bers radially inwardly.
`Inasmuchasthe first engagement between the jaw mem-
`bers and the tube is with the points 77, the sharp edges
`84 of the points first indent the tube and thus prevent
`slippage of the tube with respect to the jaw members. Con-
`tinued inward movement of the jaw members then simply
`folds adjacent portions of the tube wall toward each other
`until, as shown in FIGURE 10, these wall portions are
`substantially in engagement with each other. When this
`position is reached, no further inward movement of the
`jaw members can take place by merely bending the metal;
`the metal would have to be compressed to permit the sur-
`faces 81 of adjacent jaw members to come closer together
`and to permit the jaw members to move nearerto the cen-
`ter line of the chuck. The pressure in the cylinder in back
`of the piston portion 45 of the chuck therefore increases
`and, as previously described, the chuck is returned to its
`initial position with the rear surface 67 of the chuck in
`engagement with the flange 66 of the adjusting shaft. This
`occurs when the parts have reached the position shown in
`FIGURE 10.
`It will be noted that the sharp points 77 of the jaws
`somewhat penetrate the bottomsof theflutes thereby pro-
`ducing the indentations indicated at 76 in FIGURE 3.
`Also, the outwardly flared portions 75 of the jaws produce
`the merging areas 74 between the point and the body of
`the tube. The bottoms of the fluted portions between the
`indentations 76 are rather flat as shown at 86, having
`been formed by the flat intermediate areas 83 of the jaws.
`The point is accurately centered with respect to the tube
`and accurately formed because the initial adjustment of
`the retracted position of the jaws insures that the tube
`will be properly centered with respect to the jaws when
`the operation is commenced and because the sharp points
`on the jaws substantially eliminate the possibility of slip-
`page between the metal of the tube wall and the jaws. The
`chuck moves the jaws inwardly uniformly and thus pro-
`vides the required accurate point in a single operation.
`After the jaws have been automatically retracted by the
`chuck, the operator only has to remove the pointed tube
`from the chuck andinsert it through the drawing die in the
`usual manner.
`FIGURE11 illustrates the conclusion of a pointing op-
`eration as applied to a tube of smaller diameter and
`thinner wall. In carrying out
`this operation,
`the hand
`wheel is operated to screw the adjusting shaft inwardly
`and thus limit retracting movement of the jaws to the
`smaller outer diameter of the tube. The folding opera-
`tion occurs as before. However, it will be noted that the
`tibs 87 of this smaller lighter gauge tube are disposed
`within the relieved portions 82 of the jaws. If the jaws
`were not relieved, it would not be possible to point tubes
`of such small diameter using the same machine and the
`same jaws that are capable of pointing tubes of larger
`diameter and heavier wall. As noted above, a present
`type of machine is capable of pointing tubes having a
`wide range of outside diameters and of wall thicknesses.
`With tubes of thinner wall thickness, the points 77 fre-
`quently penetrate through the tube wall at the face of the
`indentations 76. This insures accurate holding of the tubes
`and centering of the tubes with respect to the chuck and
`the jaws and any weakening of the point that this action
`creates is inconsequential.
`From the foregoing, it will be evident that the inven-
`tion provides a method and apparatus whereby tubes of
`a wide range of sizes and wall thicknesses can be rapidly
`and accurately pointed by a single operation in a simple,
`sturdy and relatively inexpensive machine. The points are
`accurately centered with respect to the tube, the reduc-
`tion in dimension is adequate for ordinary drawing opera-
`tions and the strength of the points and the connection
`between the points and the tube is adequately maintained
`
`10
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`40
`
`45
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`50
`
`55
`
`60
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`65
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`70
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`75
`
`6
`so that the tension exerted on the points during the draw-
`ing operation can be sustained without breakage.
`The essential characteristics of the invention are set
`forth in the appended claims.
`:
`I claim:
`i. Apparatus for pointing metal tubes preparatory to
`drawing them through a die, comprising a plurality of
`jaw members angularly spaced about a central axis; means
`for moving all of the jaw members simultaneously and
`at the same speed in radial directions toward said axis
`and for retracting said jaw members away fromsaid axis
`to a definite position at which the jaw members are sub-
`stantially radially equidistant from said axis, each of
`said jaw members having an inner V-shaped portion pro-
`vided by plane surfaces extending parallel
`to said axis
`and adapted to engage the wall of a tube to be pointed,
`the V-shaped portions pointing radially inwardly toward
`said axis,
`the apexes of the V-shaped portions of said
`members each having a plurality of iongitudinally spaced,
`sharp,
`tube-engaging projections and the jaw members
`having tube-wall engaging surfaces between the projec-
`tions,
`the projections being axially short as compared
`to the length of the surfaces between the projections.
`2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the projec-
`tions have sharp,
`tube-engaging edges formed by the
`intersection of the plane surfaces of the jaw members.
`3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the surface
`of the V-shaped jaw members is relieved adjacent the
`apexes of the V’s to provide clearance for the material
`of the wall! of a tube being pointed.
`4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the jaw
`members are substantially equiangularly spaced about the
`axis and the included angle of each V-shaped portion is
`substantially equal
`to the angular spacing between ad-
`jacent jaw members.
`5, Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means
`for moving the jaw members comprises a cylinder coaxial
`with said axis, a chuck mounted in said cylinder, said
`jaw members being radially slidable in said chuck and
`said chuck and said jaw members being provided with
`cooperating camming surfaces whereby longitudinal
`movement of said chuck within said cylinder in a forward
`direction moves said jaw members radially inwardly and
`toward said axis and movement of said chuck in a rear-
`ward direction causes said jaws to retract outwardly, and
`hydraulic means for moving said chuck iongitudinally
`with respect to said cylinder.
`6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein an adjust-
`able stop is provided to limit the rearward movement of
`said chuck thereby limiting the retracting movement of
`said jaws.
`7. Apparatus for pointing tubes comprising a cylinder
`having an open end, a chuck mounted in said cylinder
`and coaxial therewith, hydraulic means for moving said
`chuck axially with respect to said cylinder; a plurality
`of jaw members substantially equiangularly spaced about
`the axis of said cylinder, said jaw members being radially
`slidable in said chuck and being restrained against axial
`movement within said cylinder, said jaw members and
`said chuck being provided with cooperating camming
`surfaces whereby axial movement of said chuck within
`said cylinder
`in a forward direction moves said jaw
`members radially inwardly toward said axis and move-
`ment of said chuck in a rearward direction causes said
`jaws to retract outwardly from said axis; an adjustable
`stop disposed at the end of said cylinder opposite said
`open end to limit the rearward movement of said chuck
`thereby limiting the retracting movement of said jaw
`members, each of said jaw members having an inner V-
`shaped portion adapted to engage the wall of a tube to be
`pointed, the V-shaped portions pointing radially inwardly
`toward said axis and being formed by plane surfaces ex-
`tending parallel to said axis and each of said members
`having a series of axially spaced, sharp,
`tube-engaging
`projections formed by the intersection of said planes, the
`
`Page 7 of 8
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`Page 7 of 8
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`3,370,451
`
`7
`jaw members being relieved between said projections to
`provide substantially flat tube wail engaging surfaces be-
`tween the projections.
`8. The method of cold-forming points on metal tubes
`which includes the steps of disposing a plurality of jaw 5
`members about an axis with the members substantially
`- equiangularly spaced about the axis,
`the jaw members
`having radially inwardly pointing V-shaped portions
`adapted to engage a tube, the jaw members each having
`a series of longitudinally spaced projections separated by
`relieved portions, disposing the jaw members with the
`spaced projections on the members radially spaced from
`the axis a distance substantially equal to the outside radius
`of atube to be pointed, inserting the end of a tube to be
`- pointed into the space between said jaw members with
`said projections engaging the outer surface of the tube
`and locating the tube concentric with said axis, then mov-
`ing the jaw members inwardly toward said axis simul-
`taneously and at the same rate of speed, the projections
`of said jaw members initially forming indentations in
`
`20
`
`10
`
`3
`
`3.
`said tube and retaining said tube substantially concentric
`with said axis, and continuing the inward movement. of
`said V-shaped members without interruption to fold. ad-
`jacent portions of the tube wall toward each other until
`the wall portions are substantially in engagement with
`each other without substantially reducing the wall and -
`provide radially extending ribs defining intermediate
`flutes, and thereafter retracting said jaw members and
`releasing said tube therefrom.
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`8/1940 Hunziker __---..---__ 72—402
`8/1961 Woolley -----...-___ 72—402
`9/1961 Ewart --.-..---___.. 72—402
`11/1964 Baker _--_--_-----__ 72—402
`
`2,211,622
`2,997,911
`2,999,405
`3,154,978
`
`CHARLES W. LANHAM,Primary Examiner.
`R. D. GREFE, Assistant Examiner.
`
`Page 8 of 8
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`Page 8 of 8
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