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`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
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`4 Sheets—Sheet 2
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`JAMES W. SCHUETZ
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`1"M
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`ATTORNEYS.
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`Page 2 of 8
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`Page 2 of 8
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`Feb. 27, 1968
`
`J. w. SCHUETZ
`»
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POINTING TUBES
`
`3,370,451
`
`Filed June 28, 1965
`
`4 Sheets-Sheet
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`
`77
`79 [(—iI4—J4—?
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`30
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`mvmon.
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`JAMES w. SCHUETZ
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`ATTORNEY$
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`Page 3 of 8
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`Page 3 of 8
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`Feb; 27, 1968 '
`
`J. w. scnua-rz
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POINTING TUBES
`
`3,370,451
`
`Filed June 28, 1965
`
`I
`
`4 Sheets—Sheet 4
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`INVENTOR.
`
`JAMES W. SCHUETZ
`BYfiWw-Azz,
`WWVW
`AT TORN EYS.
`
`Page 4 of 8
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`Page 4 of 8
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`

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`3,37%,451
`United States Patent Office
`Patented Feb. 27, 1968
`///
`1
`apparatus comprises a fluid
`Briefly, a preferred form of
`ilar mechanism that is adapted to
`operated chuck or sim
`d gripper jaws or dies radially
`urge a series of V-shape
`nwardly into engagement with the length of tube to be
`have a series of longitudinally
`1
`pointed. The jaws each
`he tube and thus hold the
`s that first engage t
`spaced point
`the dies. As the jaws
`age with respect totube into
`tube against slipp
`a fluted form
`they fold the
`move inwardly,
`having a maximum dimension sufficiently smaller than
`i the tube to permit the end
`the original outer diameter 0
`sorted into the drawing die.
`of the tube readily to be in
`completed in one continuous
`The folding operatiOn is
`movement of the jam and as soon as the inward move-
`d,
`they are automatically
`ment of the jaws is complete
`be can be removed from the ap~
`retracted so that the tu
`paratus ready for drawmg through a die.
`S l and 2 of the drawings, a pre-
`As shown in FIGURE
`ferred form of apparatus comprises a cylinder 10 sup—
`ate base made up of a horizontal
`ported on an appropri
`lates 12 disposed at either end of
`late 11 and vertical p
`10 and having arcuate saddle portions to re-
`he cylinder
`vertical members 12 preferably
`ceive the cylinder. The
`(1 the cylinder 10
`are welded to the base member 11 an
`12. The internal
`d to the vertical members
`may be welde
`bore of the cylinder 10 has a rear portion 14 of greatest
`portion 15 of reduced diameter
`diameter, an intermediate
`and a forward end portion 16 of enlarged diameter as
`compared to the intermediate portion 15. At the front end
`of the cylinder there is a front cylinder head 18 that is
`held in place by a key 19 and an annular ring 20 and
`is prevented from inward movement by a shoulder 21
`in the cylinder bore. There is also a rear cylinder head 22
`that is held in place against a shoulder 23 in the cylinder
`bore by a key 24 and a ring 25. The rear cylinder head
`is sealed to the cylinder as by a conventional O-ring 26.
`In order to form the required points on tubes, a plu-
`rality of angularly spaced gripper jaws 30 are disposed
`within the cylinder. Six jaws are shown in the drawings,
`but fewer or more jaws can be employed if desired. A
`tube T is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 to illustrate the
`initial engagement between the jaws and the tubes. In
`order to move the jaws 3!) inwardly to deform the tube
`to provide the desired flutes and reduce the diameter
`thereof, a hydraulically operated chuck 31 is disposed
`within the cylinder 10. Chuck 31 is provided with radial
`slots 32 in which the jaws 30 are slidably mounted and
`in order to move the jaws inwardly and outwardly upon
`axial movement of. the chuck, the slots 32. are T-shaped
`as shown, with enlarged head openings 33 that are defined
`by sloping outer camming surfaces 34 and inner camming
`surfaces 35 that are parallel to the surfaces 34. The jaws
`30 are provided with T heads 36, preferably composec‘
`of a material such as bronze in order to reduce friction
`the strips being secured to the jaws by cap screws 37. The
`forward ends of the jaws are provided with wear plate
`38 that bear against the inner surface of the forwart
`cylinder head 18 while the rear ends of the jaws bea
`against a washer 40 that is supported by a plug 41 the
`projects inwardly from the rear cylinder head 22. Th
`jaws are prevented from longitudinal movement by th
`front cylinder head 18 and the washer 40 and thus recir
`rocating movement of the chuck 31 within the cylind:
`10 will cause the dies to move radially inwardly and on
`wardly. The jaws and the chuck are shown in full lint
`in FIGURE 1 in their fully retracted position; the broke
`lines in the lower part of FIGURE 1 indicate the inne
`most position of the jaws and the corresponding forwa'
`position of the chuck.
`In order to reciprocate the chuck 31 within the cylind
`10, the chuck is provided with a rear piston portion j
`that operates within the bore 14 and also slides alo
`the plug 41, the piston portion 45 being sealed to t
`
`This invention relate
`(1 into dies for
`that they may be inserte
`pointing tubes so
`to reduce their diameter.
`drawing the tubes
`It is necessary to provide what is known as a point on
`n through a die
`before it can be draw
`the end of a tube
`have an overall 30
`to reduce its diameter;
`transverse dimension such that it readily can be inserted
`St
`be long enough so that the pro-
`through the die and mu
`rasped by gripper tongs
`of the point can be g
`jecting end
`ie. If the draw-
`or jaws or the iike on the other side of the d
`the point
`arried out satisfactorily,
`ing operation is to be c
`and the juncture between the point and the remainder
`strong as the tube itself
`nearly as
`of the tube must be
`ll
`apart during the
`not be pulled
`so that the metal wi
`id be accurately
`d the point shou
`drawing operation, an
`t distortion
`to the tube to preven
`centered with respect
`so, the pointing operation
`of the tube during drawing. Al
`d quickly and without requiring
`should be accomplishe
`d the apparatus for
`art of the operator an
`skill on the p
`ould be sturdy, sim-
`e pointing operation sh
`carrying out th
`ple and capable of being manufactured at reasonable
`cost.
`resent invention is to provide
`A general object of the p
`for pointing tubes that meets the
`a machine and method
`Other objects and advantages of
`foregoing requirements.
`parent from the following
`n will become ap
`the inventio
`f, reference being
`red form thereo
`description of a prefer
`drawings in which:
`made to the accompanying
`a1 section illustrating a pre-
`FIGURE 1 is a vertical axi
`aratus embo
`dying the present invention.
`line
`ferred form of app
`rse section taken along
`FIGURE 2 is a transve
`2——2 of FIGURE 1.
`are side elevation and end views,
`FIGURES 3 and 4
`respectively, of a typical tube that has been pointed in
`the illustrated apparatus.
`de and end elevations, respec—
`FIGURES 5 and 6 are si
`used to deform the tube. 60
`e of the gripper jaws
`tively, of on
`s the inner or working face of
`FIGURE 7 illustrate
`in FIGURES 5 and 6.
`the gripper jaw illustrated
`agme
`ntary elevation showing the
`FIGURE 8 is a fr
`the gripper jaws and a tube 65
`initial engagement between
`to be pointed.
`tion taken as indicated by line 9—9
`FIGURE 9 is a sec
`of FIGURE 8.
`is a similar section, but showing the jaws
`FIGURE 10
`ion.
`in their innermost posit
`ar to FIGURE 10, but ShOWS a 70
`FIGURE 11 is simil
`being of the size shown in FIG-
`smaller tube, the tube
`URES 3 and 4.
`
`01
`
`10
`
`P t
`
`15
`
`2"; GI
`
`40
`
`3,370,451
`METHOD FOR
`APP
`ARATUS AND
`PGINTING TUBES
`Pa, assignor to BlaW-Knox
`James W. Sehuetz, Pittsburgh,
`Pin, a corporation of Delaware
`Company
`, Pittsburgh,
`Bi
`1965, Ser. No. 467,235
`led lune 28,
`8 Claims.
`((31. 72—402)
`I
`
`ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
`etal tubes preparatory to draw—
`Apparatus for pointing In
`members angular—
`die embodying jaw
`ing them through a
`central axis and adapted to fold
`ly spaced apart about a
`to produce a tube having an
`the walls of a tube inwardly
`de up of longitudinally ex-
`end of reduced diameter ma
`ening fiutes. The jaws are
`tending ribs separated by interv
`nally spaced projec-
`V—shaped and have sharp,
`longitudi
`with the wall of the
`st come into engagement
`tions that fir
`centered during the point.-
`tube and hold the tube properly
`in one continuous inward
`ing operation which takes place
`stroke of the jaws.
`
`
`
`50
`
`55
`
`mm
`
`Page 5 of 8
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`

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`5
`
`10
`
`:he chuck and the cylinder 10.
`
`4
`3
`is formed by folding the wall of the tube inwardly upon
`cylindrical surface 14 and the outer surface of plug 41
`itself to provrde flutes 71 It Will be noted that the ribs
`by appropriate packings such as the O~rings 46 and 47,
`72, which define the flutes or recesses CXLCHd substantially
`respectively The chuck is also provrded With a forward
`radially and are substantially equally angularly spaced,
`piston portion 49 that fits Within the intermediate bore
`and that the wall of the tube at the outer edge of each
`15 of the cylinder, the required seal being provided by a
`rib is bent through a sufficient angle that adjacent por-
`packing such as the O-ring 50. With this arrangement,
`tions of the tube wall substantially Contact each other as
`admission of fluid under pressure to the space 52 in back
`shown at 73. The inward folding of the tube wall does not
`of the piston 45 will urge the chuck in the forward direc-
`substantially elongate the tube in the axial directions, and
`tion toward the front cylinder head 18 and cam the jaws
`therefore the cross-sectional area throughout the point is
`inwardly to deform a tube disposed within the jaws. Also,
`substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of the
`since the area of piston 45 is greater than the area of'
`original
`tube and has nearly the same tensile strength.
`piston 49, admission of fluid to the space, 53 between
`The point merges into the original tube as shown at 74,
`the two piston portions of the chuck will cause the chuck
`the merging portion being formed by the outwardlyflared
`to move rearwardly in the cylinder and thus retract the
`JaWs from the tube With which they have been engaged. 15 end portions 75 of the 0ripper Jaws 30 The bottom of
`Snitable fltnd conduits 55 and 56 leadino to the Spaces
`each flute has a series of deeper indentations 76 these
`52 and 53, respectively, are provided. These conduits are
`being formed by the sharp V-shapedprojections 77 on the
`connected to a source of fluid under pressure through
`gripper jaws 30-
`appropriate controls which can take any convenient for-m.
`aW members 30 of a preferred form adapted to pro~
`Preferably, the controls are arranged.so that the operator 20 duce POlntS Well as Shown in FIGURES 3 arid 4 are, illus-
`only has to push a button whereupon fluid under pressure
`“aim in FIGURES l and 2 and 0n 3 larger scale In
`Will be admitted to the space 52 While flow of flilid from
`FIGURES 5 5 and 7 EaCh JaW member Preferably Chm-
`the space 53 to a sump Will bepermitted, thus movmg the
`Prises a hOdy Phriron 73 haVlhg Parana1 Slde walls 79
`chuck 1n the forward direction and urging the Jaws in-
`that are adapted to slide In the radial slots 32 0f the
`wardly to paint the tribe. Preferably, the control is such 2,5 Chuck lhe (filter surfaces 0fthe hOdY PorhOhs are 51311th
`that fluid under pressure is applied to the space 52 until
`as Shown to support the T heads 35 The inner Portions
`the back pressure builds up to a predetermined degree,
`of the Jaws extend parallel to the common axrs of the
`wnereupon the connections are reversed to supply fluid
`Chi-10k, the cylhlder 19 and the ‘5th to he Pomted The
`un er pressure to the space 53 through the conduit 56
`lhher Portions 0f llhe laws are formed Into V'ShaPe as
`and permit fluid to be discharoed from the space 52 to 30 shOWn at 80 With the VS Pomhng radially 1nWardly t0-
`the sump. This operation continues until a predetermined
`ward the Common aXls and their aPeXGS Parallel to the
`back pressure is built up in the conduits leading to the
`00111111011 aXls- The thlHded angle 0f the VS ls Preferably
`space 53, whereupon the pressure is shut
`011D and the
`equal to the annular spacing between the radial slots 32
`apparatus is then in condition for another operation.
`in the ChUCk and between the laws 30 When they are In
`Controls capable of performing this type of sequence of 35 P05hi0h Within the ChUCk- Thus: lh'the example glVen,
`operations are well known to those skilled in the art and
`the ah‘e’hlar SPaCihg between the laW members is 60
`arenot describedherein,
`7
`degrees and the included angle of the V~shaped portion
`order to limit the retractino stroke of the chuck and
`0f eaCh 0f the laW members is Preferably also 50 degrees-
`thus to limit the outward movement oftheJaws to a posr-
`Wlth thls arrangement eaCh Slde 81 Ofa V-ShaPedPortion
`pomted, an adjustable stop is prOVided on the rear end
`the W311 0f the lube Into the form Shown each Ill) 72
`of the chuck 31 This compnses a guide bar 50 that is
`eing made up of two thicknesses of tube wall folded
`pressed into an opening in the rear of the piston portion
`substantially into contact with each other as shown at 73.
`45 of the chuck and extends rearwardly into a bore 61 42;
`In order to PIOVlde Clearance for the walls Of light
`formed in an adjustment shaft 62 that IS threaded as at
`" gauge and relatively small diameter tubes the V-shaped
`64in a-hollow boss. 65 secured to the rear cylinder head
`points 80 Of the jaws are relieved adjacent the apexes of
`22.,The inner end of the adjustment shaft 62 has a flange»
`the VS as shown at 82. The relieved portions make It
`66 that engages the rear surface 67 of piston portion 45
`POSSlhle to use the same laws for
`‘
`50 diameter as are used for tubes of the maximum capacity
`the shaft in the boss can be readily adjusted. The shaft is
`this arrangement a Single maChlhe can ’form Pomrs 0h
`sealed against 1eakage Where 11: passes through the WM].
`tubes With a range ofoutSidediameters from 1.750inchto
`deihead 22 by an 0-ing 69 Withthis arrangement rear-
`0625 Inc , Without requmng adjustment except of the
`ward movement of the chuck IS stopped by engagement 55 retracted POSILIOH 01° the laws by the hand Wheel 68
`of the chuck With the end flange 66, the position of the
`AS hOted ahOVe
`the thhes ‘0 he Phillied are first 611-
`llange can be adjusted by the hand Wheel 68. Thepos1tion
`gilng bythe Pr016050118 77 0f the laWs- These are longi—
`nf maxmrum retraction of the Jaws is shown in FIGURE
`lUdihallY spaced along the apaxes 0f the VS and are
`I The gripper jaws 30 are designed so as to accurately
`V-shaped points formed by the intersection of the’plane
`Ohm strong pointed portions of the type shown in FIG-
`Surface '82. The Projections Preferably are Slightly Clon‘
`jRES 3 and 4 on the ends of tubes of a Wlde range of
`gated in the direction parallel to the axrs of the tube and
`mes Wlthout requiring any change In the mpper Jaws
`present sharp edges 84 to a tube disposed Within the
`ma wuhout reqmrmg any adjustment of the apparatus 65 Jaws As shown in the drawing,
`the projections 77 are
`ther than the adjustment of the retracted position of the
`axially short as compared to the intermediate surfaces 83.
`1ws‘by the hand wheel 53_ As Shown in. FIGURES 3
`The manner in which the jaws form the desrred pomt
`nd' 4, a tube T is provided with a pointed portion 70
`0h 3 thhe is illustrated in FIGURES 8 9 and 10 As
`avmg a maxnnum overall
`transverse dimenSion such
`Shown In FIGURES 8 and 9 the hand Wheel 68 is em-
`lat the ponit can be inserted readily into a conventional 70 Ployed to adjust the Stop PIOVIded by the adjustment shaft
`raWing die Depending upon the wall thickness of the
`62 so that the Phlhts 77 0f eaCh 0f the Jaws 30 engages
`i e and the outer diameter of the ongmal tube, the maxi-
`a tube when the tube is inserted Within the chuck Prefer—
`um transverse dimensmn of the pomt preferably is in
`ably, the stop 18 adjusted so that the pomts of each Jaw
`nge of from about 75% to about 80% of the outer
`
`member engage the outer surface of the tube With sufliw
`
`ed For example, With
`
`Page 6 of 8;
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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 40. Then, as previous-
`ly described, the chuck is actuated to move the jaw mem-
`bers radially inwardly.
`Inasmuch as the 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 nearer to 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 bottoms of the flutes 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 and insert it through the drawing die in the
`usual manner.
`FIGURE 11 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
`ribs 37 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
`
`Or
`
`10
`
`[\9 Dr
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`70
`
`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:
`1. 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 from said 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 longitudinally 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 VS 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 carnming
`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 longitudinally
`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
`
`

`

`7
`jaw members being relieved between said projections to
`provide substantially flat tube wall 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
`members about an axis with the members substantially
`r 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 a- tube 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
`
`15
`
`3,370,451
`
`5
`
`8 ,
`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 a
`provide radially extending ribs defining intermediate
`flutes, and thereafter retracting said jaw members and
`reieasing said tube therefrom.
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`8/ 1940 Hunziker __________ __ 7-2—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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