Swaging device for use within a die apparatus

Claim 1

In a die apparatus including a stationary lower base member and a movable upper shoe member and incorporating a swaging device therein operating in conjunction with said die apparatus for swaging a wire intermittently passing through said die apparatus, the improvement wherein said swaging device comprises: a housing secured to said stationary lower base member of said die apparatus, said housing having a first opening therein for permitting said wire to pass therethrough and having an annular portion projecting therefrom in alignment with said first opening, said annular portion having a plurality of spacedly and radially positioned channels therein, said channels at their inner ends meeting to form a second opening aligned with the first opening and in communication therewith, a swaging member slidably carried in each of the aforesaid channels, the inner end of each swaging member being configured to cooperate with that of the other swaging members to produce the desired swaging action, the outer end of each swaging member having a cam surface shaped to provide the desired travel of the swaging member in its channel, an actuator comprising a substantially annular body having its inner circular surface fitting over the outer surface of the annular portion projecting from the housing for rotation thereabout, a plurality of cylindrical pins carried by the annular body and positioned for alignment with the swaging members, a portion of the outer cylindrical surface of each pin extending beyond the inner surface of the annular body to engage the cam surface of its respective swaging member, and an arm extending from the annular body and operatively connected to the movable upper shoe member of said die apparatus, whereby upon downward movement of the upper shoe member the actuator arm is moved so as to cause the actuator body to rotate about the annular portion projecting from the housing thereby causing the pins to move over their respective cam surfaces to drive the swaging member inwardly to deform the wire.