Caterpillar Inc.

Arden E Baldwin

John Styfhoorn

William G Clelland, Iii

Peter Kalman

An apparatus for crimping connectors on the ends of hoses includes a clamping machine having first and second moveable portions, a first measuring device associated with the clamping machine for delivering a signal representative of the linear distance between the moveable portions, and a controller operatively connected to the first measuring device and the clamping machine, for receiving the signal and stopping the relative movement of the first and second moving portions when the signal reaches a predetermined setting. The controller adjusts the relative movement of the moveable portions in response to input recorded on crimped connectors.

Self adjusting hose connector crimping apparatus and method of use

A crimping die is provided for use in a crimping machine for radially crimping the collar of a hose coupling onto the end of a hose. The crimping die includes a die assembly having a plurality of die segments and at least one unitary retention and separator band. The die segments are adapted for arrangement into a circular array about a central axis, with each of the die segments having a radially inner surface forming a section of a common collar bore about the central axis for receipt of the collar of the hose coupling. Each die segment includes a top surface having an arcuate groove formed therein. The groove has a predetermined cross-sectional configuration with an open upper end that is provided with a lesser width than the width of at least a portion of the groove below the upper end. The unitary retention and separator band is constructed of an elastomeric material and has a like plurality of die segment retaining portions and a plurality of spacer portions. Each retaining portion has a cross-sectional configuration that mates with and is adapted for receipt into the groove of a respective one of the segments for retaining the segments together. The spacer portions are spaced along the band for disposition between adjacent ones of the die segments and have a length to space the segments a predetermined distance apart when the die assembly is in a free state.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Arden E Baldwin