Work tools having interchangeable work heads

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9573263-B2
Application number	US-201414287171-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 26, 2014
Priority date	Apr 18, 2012
Publication date	Feb 21, 2017
Grant date	Feb 21, 2017

Abstract

A hand-held hydraulic assembly includes a work tool having a hydraulic cylinder or main body, a ram piston disposed in the hydraulic main body and a spring or other biasing member mounted on the ram piston. An interchangeable work head is selectively engaged to the ram piston of the work tool. The ram piston is axially displaceable in the main body for actuating the work head. A quick release coupling mounted to the work tool releasably connects the interchangeable work head to the work tool.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hydraulic system comprising:
a work tool including a housing, a hydraulic cylinder or main body within the housing, a ram piston disposed in the hydraulic main body and positionable between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position, and biasing provisions associated with the ram piston and configured to bias the ram piston to the fully retracted position;
a quick release coupling mounted to the work tool for releasably connecting an interchangeable work head to the work tool, the quick release coupling including a generally cylindrical locking ring axially positionable between an unlocked position and a locked position;
wherein upon positioning the ram piston to the fully retracted position, a distal end of the ram piston extends outwardly and beyond the quick release coupling.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
an interchangeable work head selectively engageable to the quick release coupling.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the work head defines a recessed receiving region for receipt of the distal end of the fully retracted ram piston upon connecting the work head to the work tool.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the work head includes a moveable die member that is actuated by the ram piston upon connecting the work head to the work tool.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the work head further includes biasing provisions that bias the moveable die member to an open position.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the biasing provisions include at least one axially oriented spring disposed about the ram piston in the work head upon connecting the work head to the work tool.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the work head is free of springs disposed about the ram piston in the work head upon connecting the work head to the work tool.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the quick release coupling includes (i) a generally cylindrical ball holding part defining a plurality of ball guide apertures and an open end, the ball holding part engaged with the cylinder or body of the work tool, (ii) the generally cylindrical locking ring disposed on the ball holding part and axially positionable thereon between an unlocked position and a locked position, and (iii) a plurality of balls disposed in the ball guide apertures defined in the ball holding part.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the plurality of balls include a first plurality of balls each having a first diameter, and a second plurality of balls each having a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the locking ring defines a generally circumferential inner face and at least one locating groove defined in the inner face.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the locking ring defines a generally circumferential inner face and a first locating groove defined on the inner face and sized and shaped to fittingly receive the first plurality of balls.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the locking ring further defines a second locating groove defined on the inner face, the second locating groove spaced from the first locating groove and sized and shaped to fittingly receive the second plurality of balls.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of ball guide apertures defined by the ball holding part include a first plurality of ball guide apertures having a diameter sized to receive the first plurality of balls.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the plurality of ball guide apertures defined by the ball holding part include a second plurality of ball guide apertures having a diameter sized to receive the second plurality of balls.

15. The system of claim 8 further comprising:
an interchangeable work head selectively engageable to the quick release coupling, wherein the work head includes a generally cylindrical member extending from the work head and sized for insertion within the open end of the ball holding part.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the generally cylindrical member defines a circumferential outer face and at least one groove defined on the outer face.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the cylindrical member defines a circumferential outer face and a first groove defined on the outer face and sized and shaped to fittingly receive a first portion of the plurality of balls.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the cylindrical member defines a second groove on the outer face, the second groove spaced from the first groove and sized and shaped to fittingly receive a second portion of the plurality of balls.

19. A hand-held hydraulic assembly comprising:
a work tool having a hydraulic cylinder or main body, a ram piston disposed in the hydraulic main body and a compression type spring mounted on the ram piston; and
a quick release coupling mounted to the work tool for releasably connecting an interchangeable work head to the work tool, the coupling including (i) a generally cylindrical ball holding part defining a plurality of ball guide apertures and an open end, the ball holding part engaged with the cylinder or body of the work tool, (ii) a generally cylindrical locking ring disposed on the ball holding part and axially positionable thereon between an unlocked position and a locked position, and (iii) a plurality of balls disposed in the ball guide apertures defined in the ball holding part.

20. The assembly of claim 19 , wherein the ram piston includes a one-piece elongated member having a distal end which extends outwardly from a nose end of the work tool.

21. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the plurality of balls include a first plurality of balls each having a first diameter, and a second plurality of balls each having a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the plurality of ball guide apertures includes a first plurality of ball guide apertures sized to receive the first plurality of balls of the first diameter and a second plurality of ball guide apertures sized to receive the second plurality of balls of the second diameter.

23. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the locking ring defines a generally circumferential inner face and at least one locating groove defined in the inner face.

24. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the locking ring defines a generally circumferential inner face and a first locating groove defined on the inner face and sized and shaped to fittingly receive the first plurality of balls.

25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein the locking ring further defines a second locating groove defined on the inner face, the second locating groove spaced from the first locating groove and sized and shaped to fittingly receive the second plurality of balls.

26. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the plurality of ball guide apertures defined by the ball holding part include a first plurality of ball guide apertures having a diameter sized to receive the first plurality of balls.

27. The assembly of claim 26 wherein the plurality of ball guide apertures defined by the ball holding part include a second plurality of ball guide apertures having a diameter sized to receive the second plurality of balls.

28. The assembly of claim 19 further comprising:
an interchangeable work head selectively engaged to the ram piston of the work tool, wherein the ram piston is axially displaceable in the main b

Assignees

• Ridge Tool Co

Inventors

• Bowles Richard R
• Baracskai Robert M
• Schweizer Beat
• Kreuzer Rudolf
• Lütolf Marc

Classifications

• B30B15/026

  Mounting of dies, platens or press rams · CPC title

• B26F1/40

  using a press, e.g. of the ram type (presses in general B30B) · CPC title

• B25B27/10

  inserting fittings into hoses · CPC title

• B25F3/00 Primary

  Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor · CPC title

• B26D7/2614

  Means for mounting the cutting member · CPC title