Versatile Tubing Straightener

Abstract

A hand-held tool for straightening tubing such as brake fluid lines in vehicles, the tool provides a housing having an outer covering, internally thereof, a series of sets of rollers, that are adjustable radially, supported by end frames, and intermediate the rollers and the outer covering is an adjuster ring, shiftable longitudinally within the housing, operatively associated with the rollers, such that when the adjuster ring is pulled outwardly, longitudinally, from the tool housing, the rollers shift radially outwardly, for accommodating larger tubing, and when the adjuster ring is pushed inwardly of the housing, the rollers are forced inwardly against smaller diameter tubing, in preparation for its straightening. A sector of the tool, usually along a quadrant, is opened from one end to the other of the tool, so as to allow the tool to be applied to the tubing to be straightened, anywhere along its length, and not only at its ends.

Claims

1. A tool for functioning as a tubing straightener for straightening tubing unwinding from a coiled roll, said tool comprising: a housing, said housing incorporating a pair of end frames, said end frames being longitudinally spaced apart; outer cover formed of the housing and approximately surrounding the tool and its end frames; a series of brackets retaining the end frames to the outer cover of the housing; a series of roller mounts shiftably connected to the brackets, each roller mount holding a series of rollers, which along with the roller mounts capable of radially shifting within the tool during its adjustment for biasing the rollers onto the tubing during performance of a tube straightening process; an adjuster means provided proximate one end of said tool, a series of adjuster extensions integral of the said adjuster means, and said adjuster extensions slidingly attached to said brackets and biasing against the said roller mounts to urge said series of rollers against the tubing, when said adjuster means and their adjuster extensions are shifted longitudinally within the tool housing during its set up for usage.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein said outer cover and said brackets have a sector that opens along the length of the housing to provide clearance for installation of any tubing anywhere along the length of said tubing within the tool in preparation for its usage in tube straightening.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein said roller mounts are biased radially outwardly of said tool, and said adjuster extensions having an inclined surface bearing against said roller mounts, wherein said roller mounts are urged inwardly of said tool forcing said rollers and roller mounts radially inwardly of said tool to bias the rollers against the tubing being straightened.

4. The tool of claim 2, wherein the adjuster extensions incorporating at least one inclined surface for biasing against the roller mounts which when said adjuster means is shifted longitudinally inwardly or outwardly of said tool the rollers shift radially inwardly or outwardly to narrow or widen the opening between the rollers to accommodate tubing of different diameters for the straightening process.

5. The tool of claim 2, wherein there are four roller mounts included in said tool, and there are at least two rollers securing to each roller mount.

6. The tool of claim 5, wherein each roller mount is arranged approximately 90 degrees with respect to each adjacent roller mount.

7. The tool of claim 5, wherein there are four rollers securing to each roller mount.

8. The tool of claim 3, wherein each roller mount having at least one extending tab, said tab biasing against the inclined surface of the associated adjuster extension, whereby when said adjuster means is longitudinally shifted in said tool, the inclined surface of the adapter extension biasing against the roller mount tab, and urging the rollers into a narrowing or widening distance between the series of rollers for varying the size of tubing to be straightened by the tool during usage.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the tool is hand-held during application.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein said cover includes at least one aperture for allowing the user of the tool to observe the size of the tubing and the contact of its rollers against said tubing during performance of a straightening process.

11. The tool of claim 1, wherein each bracket includes a longitudinal slot, each adjuster extension having a bearing provided thereon, and arranged for riding within its associated bracket slot, to keep the adjuster means in longitudinal alignment within the tool during its shifting inwardly or outwardly of the tool housing, during application.

12. A tool for functioning as a tubing straightener for straightening tubing unwinding from a coiled roll, said tool comprising: a housing formed from various components for providing support for handholding of the tool during performance of a tube straightening, and said components provided for holding the operative parts for biasing against and securement of the tube within the housing during its straightening process, said housing having a longitudinal central axis wherein the tubing to be straightened locates in preparation for a tube straightening procedure; a series of roller mounts shiftably connected in said housing, each said roller mount securing at least a pair of rollers rotatably thereto, and each roller mount and their rollers capable of radially shifting towards and away from the central axis of said housing when adjusted for holding different sized tubing in preparation for the straightening process; and an adjuster means provided proximate at least one end of said housing, said adjuster means having a series of adjuster extensions integral of said adjuster means, and said adjuster extensions slidably attached to said housing and bearing against said roller mounts to urge said series of rollers against the tubing as said adjuster means and its adjuster extensions are shifted longitudinally within the housing in preparation for its usage in straightening different sized tubings during its usage.

13. The tool of claim 12, wherein said housing includes a pair of end frames, a series of brackets securing between the end frames, there being an outer structure surrounding the end frames and brackets to form the housing, and said roller mounts being shiftably connected to said brackets for radial movement within the housing, and said adjuster means and integral extensions being mounted to said brackets for longitudinally shifting within said housing during its adjustment for locating various sized tubing along the housing central axis in preparation for the straightening of said tubing as it unrolls from the coiled form.

14. The tool of claim 2, wherein springs are provided for biasing the roller mounts radially outwardly of said tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] In referring to the drawings,

[0041] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the tubing straightener of this invention;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a left end view of the tubing straightener of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 3 shows the open sector of the tubing straightener along its length, for this invention, with its adjustment means extending outwardly from its housing, in preparation for its reception and adjustment for clamping onto tubing during performance of the straightening process;

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a similar view to that of FIG. 3, with the adjustment means having been pushed inwardly, within the tool housing, and to clamp the various rollers onto the tubing being straightened;

[0045] FIG. 5 is a view of the tool, with its cover removed, for showing the adjustor ring and its extensions being shifted outwardly of the housing during its reception of the tubing to be straightened;

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a tool similar to that in FIG. 5, with the adjuster means and its extensions pushed longitudinally inwardly within the housing and biasing the various rollers against the axially placed tubing, to be straightened, applied therein; and

[0047] FIG. 7 provides a close up view of the step or inclined surfaces of the adjustment means in which instance the rollers are biased against the surface of the narrower diametered tubing being straightened.

GLOSSARY OF COMPONENTS

[0048] 1. Outer housing structural frames. [0049] 2. Fasteners securing housing frames. [0050] 3. Adjuster ring. [0051] 4. Tubing to be straightened. [0052] 5. Rollers. [0053] 6. End frames. [0054] 7. Springs. [0055] 8. Roller connector or mounts. [0056] 9. Clearance slots. [0057] 10. Frame slots. [0058] 11. Stepped or inclined surfaces. [0059] 12. Roller mount tabs. [0060] 13. Adjuster ring extensions. [0061] 14. Guide screws or pins. [0062] 15. Sector opening. [0063] 16. Viewing apertures. [0064] 17. Straightener outer cover. [0065] 18. Bracket mounts. [0066] 19. Fasteners [0067] 20. Concaved Surface [0068] 25. Opening Slots [0069] 26. Bearings

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0070] In referring to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, the tubing straightener 1 is shown. It has an outer housing H, although the housing does not support operating componentssince the tool can function without housing. Housing is mainly cosmetic while providing a means to grip the tool, as well as openings to see inside and for measuring tubing diameters. It is generally of a cylindrical shape, with rollers being mounted to a welded metal frame, to be subsequently described. As can be seen in FIGS. 2-4, there are four sets of rollers 5, generally arranged at 90 angles with respect to each other, and there are four rollers per set, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, along the longitudinal length of the straightener 1. Thus, there are a total of sixteen rollers in banks of four each, arranged, as stated, at 90 with respect to each other around the axis of the cylindrical shape of the straightener 1. The bearings 26 hold the rollers for rotation.

[0071] There are a pair of the plastic covers in the preferred embodiment, one generally provided around the periphery of the straightener, and these covers are attached to the metal frames or brackets 18, of the straightener, by various screws, as noted at 2. The shape of the covers form the outer cylindrical shape for the housing, with an opening in one sector, or quadrant 15, as can be noted in FIG. 2, which allows for the insertion of the tubing 4, to be straightened, and to be inserted into the device, anywhere along the length of the tubing, in the manner as can be noted in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

[0072] There is an adjuster means 3, in the form of a ring like member, that protrudes from one end of the straightener, and during functioning, this adjuster ring can be pulled along the longitudinal axis of the device, and its retained tubing, in order to adjust the rollers to embrace different sized tubing, having differing outer diameters, depending upon the size of the tubing being straightened. Obviously, the adjuster means can be to other shapes. As can further be noted, there are holes 16 provided through the outer covering 1 which allows the user to observe the tubing diameter that is located within the device, in preparation for its usage, and which can be used as a way to verify, visually, the diameter of the given piece of tubing inserted into the device, and if the rollers are in contact therein, in preparation for its usage. Openings 25 allow the user to observe and align the tubing, and also serve as a means to grip the tool.

[0073] The adjuster ring 3 can be pulled outwardly of the straightener, as can be noted in FIG. 3, which moves the various sets of rollers away from each other, to provide for the most widened dimension and clearance between the rollers to allow for the straightener to accommodate tubing of greater diameters, or the adjuster ring 3 can be pushed inwardly, as noted in FIGS. 4 and 1, in order to move the rollers 5 biasing against the tubing, in preparation for a straightening operation.

[0074] The rollers move within vertical slots 17, with each set of the four attached rollers being secured onto the roller connector or mount 8, as noted. And, the roller mounts are pushed outboard, by their associated springs 7, one provided on either end of each mount of the straightener, as can be noted.

[0075] There are tabs 12 formed along the roller mounts 8, that extend outwardly, as noted, and these tabs are provided for biasing against the inclined surfaces 11 of the adjuster ring extension 13. Each of the stepped surfaces 11 correspond to a given diameter of tubing, which is selected by the user using visible markings on the exterior of the straightener. When the adjuster ring 3 is pulled fully outwardly, as noted in FIG. 5, the tabs 12 locate at the upper inclined portion of the stepped surface 11, of the extensions, as can be seen, and therefore its associated rollers are urged outwardly, by the influence of the springs 7, to provide for the widest dimension between the various rollers 5, as also can be noted in FIG. 3. Then, as the adjuster ring 3 is pushed inwardly, in the manner as shown in FIG. 6, the tabs 12 are urged inwardly with their integral roller mounts 8, which thereby forces the rollers closer together, in the manner as shown in FIG. 4, with the tabs 12 now riding upon the lower inclined surfaces of the adjuster ring extensions 13, as can be noted in FIG. 6. In this condition, the rollers are urged to their closest point together, as explained, as noted in said FIG. 4.

[0076] It should be noted that the adjuster ring 3 moves longitudinally within the outer casing or covers 1, guided through the usage of its screws, bearings, or pins 14, riding within their associated slots 10, formed of the outer cylindrical cover 1 and its formed brackets 18, as previously explained, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 2.

[0077] Thus, as can further be noted within FIG. 2, the straightener having its outer plastic covers 17 are secured by the brackets 18, to the metal frames 6, one provided at each end of the straightener. The roller mounts 8 are held in position within the straightener via fasteners 19, and through the use of springs 7, can radially shift within their slots 9, so as to widen the gap between the rollers, or to narrow the same, in the manner as previously described, depending upon the size of the tubing to be straightened. And, the roller mounts 8 are subject to radially shifting inwardly or outwardly, as a result of the longitudinal shifting of the adjuster ring 3, in the manner as previously described. The rollers 5 are secured to their mounts 8 by means of their fasteners 19 and rotate by means of ball bearings 26, which allow for their rotation. Metal frames 6 are welded to brackets 18 as a means of connecting the four metal parts into one unit that forms the framework of the tool.

[0078] It can also be seen, from FIG. 2, that the outer perimeter of the rollers form a concaved type surface, as at 20, so as to embrace any circular tubing provided therein, and to allow the rollers to confine and bias against the surface of the tubing, throughout the length of their contact with each set of four rollers, as the tubing is pulled through the straightener, or the straightener is manually forced along the length of the tubing, in order to provide for its straightening, generally from the coil form. Obviously, more or less sets of rollers can be used in this device just so sufficient contact is maintained against the tubing being straightened.

[0079] In the alternative view, as previously explained, with respect to FIG. 5, shown with one of the covers removed, to provide for the viewing of the mechanism more clearly, when the roller mount 8 is pushed radially outwardly by the springs 7, one on either end, as noted, the tabs 12 that protrude from the roller mounts 8, such that these tabs interact with the stepped or inclined surfaces 11 of the adjuster extensions 13, as noted. The rollers then will move outboard, normal to the tube axis via the slots 9, in order to widen the clearance for accommodating a greater diameter tubing within the straightener, in preparation for its usage. The integral ring extensions 13 of the adjuster ring 3 are attached to the metal frame, through the slots 10, as previously explained, and thus it limits the travel of the adjuster ring, fore and aft, along the longitudinal axis of these slots 10, and the straightener itself.

[0080] In a related view, but with the tubing straightener clamped onto the tubing 4, and with the adjuster ring being pushed inboard to clamp the rollers onto the tubing, as can be seen in FIG. 4, in this position, the smallest diameter tubing that can be straightened by use of the tool is applied therein. The rollers, in this condition, have been moved inboard via their slots 9, and the adjuster ring has moved inwardly, of the device, in the manner as shown in said FIGS. 4 and 6.

[0081] Hence, as can be seen from the description herein, that this tubing straightener device is a hand-held type of apparatus, and because of its sector clearance area 15, can be clamped onto tubing of various diameters, simply through the manipulation of its adjuster ring 3, either inwardly, or outwardly, in the manner as previously described, to allow for straightening of tubing of various sizes, through the use of this hand-held device, that can be applied anywhere along the length of the uncoiling tubing, at any location, during its usage in straightening such tubing during its installation within, for example, a vehicle, when replacing brake lines, during assembly or repair.

[0082] Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the development as explained herein. Such variations, if within the spirit of this invention, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of any claims to patent protection issuing herein. The description of the invention within the summary, and within the preferred embodiment, and its depiction within the drawings, are all set forth for illustrative purposes only.