CRIMPING APPARATUS INCLUDING A TOOL FOR SUPPORTING A PLURALITY OF CRIMPING MEMBERS

摘要

A crimping apparatus (100) includes a support structure (110) with an alignment element (113a, 113b) and a plurality of retainers (142) movably attached to the support structure and radially arranged about an axis (102) of the crimping apparatus. Each retainer includes an engagement structure (150). The crimping apparatus further includes a plurality of crimping members (182) with an engagement element (190). Each engagement element is configured to interact with the engagement structure of a respective one of the plurality of retainers to removably connect each of the crimping members to a respective one of the plurality of retainers. The crimping apparatus further includes a tool (200) configured to simultaneously support the plurality of crimping members. The tool includes an alignment structure (204, 206a, 206b) configured to interact with the alignment element of the support structure to provide substantial radial alignment between the engagement element of each of the crimping members and the corresponding engagement structure of the respective retainers. The tool can also include a locking member (860) configured to selectively lock the position of the tool with respect to the support structure.