Gary R Porter

US Patent:

6471596, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

Jun 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/876699

Inventors:

Michael E. Ward - Geneva IL
Gary D. Porter - Lancaster WI

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B21D 5324

US Classification:

470 87, 470 96, 470 98

Abstract:

A thread tapping machine for tapping female threads into a series of associated articles that are held in an associated stationary fixture includes a housing mounted for reciprocating movement toward and away from the stationary fixture. The housing is rotationally fixed. A spindle is carried by the housing for reciprocating movement therewith and for rotational movement within the housing. A shank is carried by the spindle and is configured for rotational and reciprocal movement with the spindle. The shank has a flute tap section, an elongated shank body, a transverse section opposite the flute tap and a bent section between the transverse section and the elongated body. The housing is moved toward and into contact with a first of the series of articles with the spindle rotating so that the flute tap section engages the article to form a thread therein. When the article is released from the fixture, in conjunction with the housing reciprocating away from the fixture, the article is urged along the shank, away from the flute tap section to and around the bent shank and ejected therefrom.