Abstract: A pressing tool for securing screw connections of steering linkages of motor vehicles particularly between a ball joint socket having a tubular extension and a threaded pin of a pitman arm which has two diametrically opposite parallel wrench flats which are positioned within a tubular extension of the ball joint socket. A tubular extension comprises a sleeve arranged over the ball joint socket and it has two diametrically opposed longitudinally extending slots each having a double arm lever pivotally mounted therein. The double arm lever includes a first arm portion providing a jaw oriented radially inwardly and an opposite arm portion having a camming surface. A control member is located in the sleeve adjacent the camming surface of each lever and it is mounted so as to be threadably movable axially to run along the camming surface and pivot the lever.

Abstract: A pair of tongs is on one side of the tool body provided with a rocker arms defining a two-armed lever. The forward arm portion of the rocker arms lies as a stop before die members provided in one of the jaws, and has an abutment edge over which the contact portion but not the affixing portion of a cable shoe inserted into the pair of tongs can pass. The rocker arm, affected by a spring, is with the aid of two actuating elements operated in such a way that in the final phase of a crimping operation the forward arm portion is totally removed from the area of the die members, thus enabling an elongation of the affixing portion of the respective cable shoe when being crimped.

Abstract: A simple, rugged, and conveniently front-adjustable gage stop having a gage finger capable of presenting a gage face in any of several angular orientations is disclosed. The gage stop comprises a gage finger adjustably and rotatably connected to a finger support which is in turn pivotally connected to a mounting member. In operation, a workpiece is butted against the gage face with the gage stop resting in a horizontal orientation, and some operation is performed on the workpiece. If this operation results in an upward force being applied to the gage stop, the stop swings upward in response, to a limiting position in which the center of gravity of the finger support/gage finger combination is forward of the pivot axis, and then returns by gravity to a horizontal position.

Abstract: An auxiliary gauging device for a press brake. One end of a locater bar is clamped to the back stop of the press brake. A locating pin is provided on the other end and is adapted to nest in a preformed hole of the work piece. The back stop is positioned relative to the forming tool of the press brake by calculating the distance between the locating pin and back stop, and subtracting the distance between the preformed hole and desired bend line.

Abstract: A press brake adapted to apply bending on metal blanks in the form of a sheet or plate includes a plurality of die assemblies located on a die holder at intervals of a predetermined distance in the direction perpendicular to the logitudinal direction of a bed of the press brake. The die holder is mounted on the bed movably in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bed. Each of the die assemblies is provided with an upper die and a lower die which are associated with each other and movable vertically towards and away from each other. The press brake further includes a pair of front and inside stoppers located on the front side and the inner side of the press brake body, respectively, so as to be movable freely towards and away from each other and pass through a space between the upper and lower dies.

Abstract: A gauge bar assembly is provided with T-nut, quick-action hand clamp brackets to linear bearing blocks of a gauge drive mechanism. Gauge mounting brackets are supported and guided on upstanding tubes in the quick-action clamp brackets. Powered vertical drive for the mounting brackets is provided. A gauge bar having unusually high resistance to bending, due to a unique Y-shaped cross section, is clamped to the gauge mounting brackets. Flip fingers with manually adjustable adjustment wedges, and spring take-up means, are provided for precise horizontal adjustment of gauging fingers toward and away from press brake tooling.

Abstract: A press brake control system and apparatus including a vertical ram extension controller and back gauge system which together determine respectively the angle and location of successive sheet metal bends according to a stored operating sequence. The control system and apparatus is attached to an existing and unmodified press brake to which the press brake control system automatically adapts its control functions according to the mechanical parameters and conditions of the particular press brake. Futhermore, the press brake control system elements communicate according to a communication system having redundancy and error-checking features to be operable in hostile electrical and physical environments.

Abstract: A press apparatus having a lower die, an upper die and a lateral pressing cam mechanism adapted to apply a lateral pressure to a work clamped between the upper and lower dies. The lateral pressing cam mechanism includes a slidable cam adapted to be slided towards the clamped work through cooperation with a fixed cam fixed to an actuator. The apparatus has a guide mechanism pivotally secured at its one end to a supporting member extended from the lower die and provided at its other end with a guide portion for locating the work on the lower die. A mutually cooperating cam is provided on the upper portion of the slidable cam and on the central portion of the guide mechanism, so that the guide mechanism is swung from the path of the slidable cam as it is moved towards the work clamped between the two dies.

Abstract: A controller for a press brake, which provides for the accurate sequential bending of sheet metal by a press brake. The controller includes a microprocessor arrangement for operating a press brake in response to manually entered input to control a gauge stop and to produce output control signals relating to the relative positioning of the ram and die which positioning causes an angle of bend in a workpiece. Included is a sensing device for sensing the actual angle of bend in the workpiece and means for comparing the actual angle of bend to a desired angle. By such a comparison, the manual inputting of complex variables which are required to predetermine the precise relative positioning of the ram and die are made unnecessary. Further, feedback relating to the springback of the workpiece material causes sequential re-cycling of the press brake thereby improving the accuracy of the resulting angles produced.

Abstract: An improved backgauge structure for a metal working machine as, for example, a press brake with improved rotatable gauging fingers that can be rotated 90.degree. and pulled out for replacement but which will not fall out and which are spring loaded so that the gauging fingers can pivot upwardly in response to movement of the material and further including a pivoted channel member to which the gauging fingers are attached so as to provide improved gauging.

Abstract: A stop is disclosed for stopping a workpiece at a desired location relative to a work station. The stop includes a holder having a slot in an edge thereof, the axis of the slot being oriented substantially out of the plane of approach of a workpiece. A ball is linearly movably retained in the slot so as to partially project beyond the edge of the holder. A biasing spring biases the ball toward an end of the slot for contact with the workpiece.

Abstract: A sheet material bending brake of enhanced clamping and bending capacity, by virtue of reinforcing members which both limit the extent of insertion of sheet material into the brake and which support the brake against distortion under heavy clamping and bending loads. The brake includes a plurality of parallel "C" castings extending normally to a bending plane, the castings having clamping and bending means located at their cantilevered ends. Adjustable reinforcing elements engage horizontal surfaces of the castings and project across the throats of the castings to retain the casting legs against separation under excess clamping and bending loads imposed thereon and to limit the distance to which the sheet material can be inserted into the castings.

Abstract: An attachment device is disclosed for affixture on pliers having a first and second plier jaw. The device includes a single jaw lug to be secured to the jaw of a standard compound acting adjustable vise type of hand pliers. A piece of sheet metal is introduced between the jaw lug of the device and the opposing jaw of the hand pliers and pressure is applied to the hand pliers. An offset shoulder is displaced along the edge of the piece of sheet metal parallel to the original contour of the piece of sheet metal to form an offset shoulder and edge.

Abstract: In a magnetic workpiece holder and gauge for a press brake, the core of an electromagnet for the work core is electrically insulated, and connected to a circuit for energizing the electromagnet when electrical contact is made between a magnetic workpiece and the core structure of the electromagnet. A probe may also be provided for detecting the lateral alignment of the workpiece.

Abstract: In combination with a treadway upon which a vehicle, whose structure is to be realigned, is positioned, an improved alignment apparatus interconnecting the treadway and a selected portion of the vehicle structure. The alignment apparatus has a base assembly having a horizontal leg with a vertical member attached thereto, and a clamping assembly secured to the vertical member for attachment to the vehicle structure. The horizontal leg is adapted to rest on the treadway and is interconnected to a plurality of spaced openings in the treadway. The alignment apparatus may be rigidly secured to the treadway, or may slide across the treadway in response to a pulling force applied either to the vehicle or the alignment apparatus all while supporting the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A pilot assembly as for locating a workpiece in successive forming stages of a machine, such as a punch press, where the workpiece is progressively moved through the forming stages of the machine. The pilot assembly includes a pilot pin mounted to a movable die member of the machine for guiding entry into a previously formed hole in a workpiece or in a companion die member as the die members are moved toward each other, the pin being axially retractable in its mounting in the event it strikes an obstruction.

Abstract: A pair of arms having mounting pads affixed at one end of each arm, is mounted to a press brake bed. Gauge support members are guidingly received on the arms to support a gauge bar or other gauge mounting surface for workpiece locating stops. The gauge is to be moved and maintained with the gauging edge parallel to the press brake mounting faces of the pads, and thereby, parallel to the tooling of the press brake. One of the gauge support members is driven by a motor and drive screw, and connected through flexible non-extensible tensile members to drive the other gauge support in synchronism, and thereby position the two gauge support members simultaneously and at equal distances from the press brake tooling.

Abstract: This dimension indicator for sheet-metal folding, bending or shearing machine tools comprises a measuring apparatus capable of displaying the distance from the adjustable stop member provided for positioning the workpiece to a reference plane. The device comprises structure for correcting the consequence of a displacement of the reference plane, in the form of a mechanical device coupled to the machine adjustment member and adapted to act directly or indirectly upon one of the component elements of a coupling or a data transmission disposed between the member controlling the stop member and the measuring apparatus, so as to actuate this apparatus.

Abstract: Height extender for use in an apparatus for repairing and straightening is disclosed in its preferred form for use in connection with apparatus for repairing and straightening the body and frame of a vehicle, most preferably a high ground clearance vehicle. The apparatus for repairing and straightening includes a tread member allowing placement of the vehicle thereon and having a plurality of apertures passing vertically therethrough. Bolsters, well known in the prior art, are removably held in the tread apertures by a locking member. The height extender includes a sleeve member, a plate attached to the sleeve member having an abutting portion and an elongated bar portion, and first and second bracing members attached to the elongated bar portion and the sleeve member. The sleeve member is received and slidable on the bolster. The height extender can then be positioned on the bolster at multilevel positions by a pin which passes through apertures formed in the bracing members.

Abstract: A portable crimping tool for attachment of sheet metal plates to a frame is disclosed. Said crimping tool comprises a holder having an integrally-formed pressure member at one end thereof, a force member slidably mounted on said holder and having a 90-degree fingerlike element facing such pressure member and adapted to engage the edge of the sheet metal plate, and toggle lever means for operating the force member between an open position and a closed position, wherein the edge of the sheet metal plate is forced toward the pressure member by the progressively-increasing pressure exerted by the force member, said toggle lever means including an operating handle, the pivotal axis of which is adjustable longitudinally of the holder to vary the minimum distance between the finger-like element and the pressure member without changing the angle of the handle in its closed position.

Abstract: A plurality of die segments are assembled to form a male die for use in a press brake, and the male die assembly is provided with at least a pair of workpiece locating die segments which, at the start of the workpiece forming operation, move into registered engagement with blind recesses formed along an intended forming centerline of the workpiece for precision positioning thereof prior to completion of the workpiece forming operation.

Abstract: Workpiece stop means for a sheet metal working machine comprising a holder for a plurality of stop members preferably in the form of strips of metal, the holder having a reference face, each of the stop members being of a respective accurately determined length and being engagable with the holder with one end of each of the stop members abutting the reference face of the holder, the stop members being sequentially presentable each for abutment of its other end with a co-operating abutment member mounted on a reciprocable carriage, which carriage also mounts a workpiece backstop of the machine, whereby, by such abutment of the abutment member with said other end of successive ones of the stop members, the carriage and thus the workpiece backstop is positioned at desired locations for successive operations of the machine, the holder being indexed parallel to the reference face thereof between successive abutments.

Abstract: Vehicle anchoring apparatus is disclosed, in its preferred form, for use in conjunction with an apparatus for repairing and straightening vehicles having a support surface for supporting vehicles thereon. The support surface includes an array of regularly shaped apertures which extend vertically therethrough. A unibody clamp is disclosed including adjustable jaws for removably gripping the pinch weld of a unibody frame. Abutment wings are further provided on the clamp for abutting with a stop member which accepts, substantially in line, the counterforce from the clamp. The stop member is removably attached to the support surface by an attachment member which extends into a selected support surface aperture and allows self-alignment thereof in the support surface.

Abstract: Gaging apparatus for a metal forming machine having a gage bar which is pivotable about a central longitudinal axis of the bar and which is maintained in a normal position by a spring mechanism. In the presence of an upward force applied to the bar, the bar will pivot upwardly, and upon removal of the upward force, will be returned by the biasing action of the spring mechanism to its rest position. A switch can be associated with the gage bar for actuation during upward movement of the bar to provide a control signal to the gage positioning system to cause withdrawal of the bar away from the metal being formed.

Abstract: An improved stop mechanism for use with machinery wherein a workpiece is advanced through one or more tooling stations comprises an arm supported for limited pivotal movement about orthogonal axes. The arm is constrained for movement within a grooved block and mounted on a pin extending through coaxial conical bores formed in opposite sides of the arm. The arm is biased in a direction opposite to travel of the workpiece to a ready position in sliding contact with the workpiece until the forward end of the arm engages a predetermined notch or locating surface on the workpiece and pivotally moves therewith to a stop position. The rear end of the arm simultaneously actuates a valve, switch or other control device to initiate the desired operation on the workpiece. After completion of the desired operation, the arm is disengaged from the notch or locating surface to release the workpiece and returned to the ready position.

Abstract: A multiple station tube bender includes a rotatable table upon a platform adapted for incremental rotary movements and for intermittent raising and lowering. The horizontally disposed support rod is adapted to axially mount a tubular workpiece to be bent. A radially extending rod support is mounted upon the table for journalling the rod and including a gear mechanism for variably rotating the support rod for angular orientation of the workpiece before bending. A series of spaced bending stations are arranged around the platform, each including a bending brake assembly at varying center distances from the table and adapted for successive and progressive forming of bends in the workpiece at spaced points along its length. After each bend, the table automatically elevates and rotates the workpiece in a horizontal plane to the next bending station and lowers the workpiece into registry with the bending brake.

Abstract: A tool for forming a depression in a strap of material which is disclosed to comprise a C-clamp base, a reaction cup on one arm of the C-clamp base and a bolt-like deforming member threadedly mounted through the other arm of the C-clamp base. A bearing is provided at the head of the bolt to facilitate deformation and locator means are provided on the base of the clamp to gauge the distance of the depression from the edge of the material in which the depression is to be formed.

Abstract: Acccessories are disclosed, in their preferred forms, for use in conjunction with an apparatus for repairing and straightening vehicles having a support surface, for supporting vehicles thereon, including an array of regularly shaped apertures which extend vertically therethrough. A unibody clamp is disclosed including adjustable jaws for removably gripping the pinch weld of a unibody frame. Abutment wings are further provided on the clamp for abutting with a stop member which accepts, substantially in line, the counterforce from the clamp. A first connector member is further provided on the clamp for attaching a chain held in an elevated position by an elevated chain apparatus. First connector member further allows the use of a down pull member including a chain directed to the clamp by a rotatably mounted pulley. A second connector member is further provided on the clamp allowing the exertion of a force perpendicular to the pinch weld of the unibody frame.

Abstract: A can decorating and deforming craft device includes a base for supporting a can laid on its side and at least one can deforming element mounted for selective deforming engagement with an upwardly facing surface of a can placed in position on the base. A lever extends longitudinally of the can and is manually pivotable toward and away from the can to bring one or more of the detachably mounted can deforming elements into surface deforming engagement with the can. Additionally, one or more side deforming elements may be detachably interlocked with the base to provide for selective deformation of the can sides in addition to the deformation of an upwardly facing surface of the can. The can may be deformed into a wide variety of different shapes and decorative paints, decals and the like may be applied to the deformed can to provide a design resembling the face of a clown or the like as an example.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting misalignment resulting from a bent strut in a motor vehicle without requiring dismantling. The wheel support and alignment portion of a vehicle includes a wheel supporting hub, a wheel drum through which the hub extends and the strut which is connected between the hub and the frame of the vehicle. The technique comprehends the steps of holding the strut at a point adjacent the portion thereof to be bent, and applying a bending force to the portion of the hub which extends through the wheel drum. A wheel holding device is preferably connected to the wheel drum via the wheel's threaded bolts and lug nuts. The wheel holder has a horizontally extending thrust plate against which the piston of a jack is applied to push either upwardly or downwardly as the correction may require. An auxiliary U-shaped frame may be utilized to support the bending jack when a downward bending force is desired.

Abstract: A gaging system especially adapted for use with a press brake and which employs a direct drive servo motor directly coupled to a movable table and linear encoder directly coupled to the movable table for providing electrical output signals representative of actual gage position. One or more gage stop assemblies are supported by the movable table and are manually adjustable to both coarse and fine degrees. Closed loop servo control of gage position is provided to control motor drive in response to actual position signals derived from the linear encoder.

Abstract: A rear gauge assembly includes a gauge bar extending between two carriages, each carriage being mounted to a housing mounted to the rear of a press brake bed and having a lead screw and motor associated with it. Front gauges are provided on carriages on a pair of similar housings mounted to a rail mounted to the front of a press brake bed, each of these housings also having a lead screw and motor for driving its respective carriage. A microcomputer is employed to control the two motors for synchronizing movement of the rear gauge carriages with each other while driving the rear gauge, and to control the two motors for the front gauge while the front gauges are being driven to synchronize movement of front gauges with each other. The same synchronizing techniques for two lead screws are employed on a new type of ram drive for press brakes incorporating two ram drive screws, with a motor for each screw, the motors being synchronized by the controller.

Abstract: A gaging stop is disclosed for use with a press brake which employs a direct drive servo motor directly coupled to a movable table and linear encoder directly coupled to the movable table for providing electrical output signals representative of actual gage position. One or more gage stop assemblies are supported by the movable table and are manually adjustable to both coarse and fine degrees. Closed loop servo control of gage position is provided to control motor drive in response to actual position signals derived from the linear encoder.

Abstract: A compact apparatus for crimping a fitting onto an elongated member is provided which has a cylindrical housing, a tubular piston in the housing providing a central passageway to receive the elongated member and a fitting, a plurality of crimping dies moving radially together and apart which are actuated by the tubular piston, fluid means for moving the tubular piston longitudinally in a forward direction and springs for retracting it, and mounting means for the cylindrical housing. The apparatus contains an improved housing and piston structure, means for positioning the elongated member and fitting between the crimping dies, and means to automatically stop the longitudinal movement of the piston at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A positioning device comprises a moving carriage for supporting members which serve to position a part to be machined and the position of which is determined by an adjustable stop. The device consists of a rotary drum provided with a series of studs of variable length, each stud being moved in turn opposite to a movable bearing member which is coupled with the carriage by means of a motion-reduction mechanism so that the range of motion of the bearing member is smaller than the range of motion of the carriage and in a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a press brake work piece alignment apparatus comprising an alignment shoe mounting plate adjustably secured to a supporting surface of a press brake adapted with a plurality of threaded holes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the forming dies. Bolts adjustably secure alignment shoes to the shoe mounting plate through longitudinal slots therein. One or more of the alignment shoes are hinged on a pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the forming dies, such that they can be selectively unfolded into a work piece alignment position for each sequential bending operation. Alternatively, a non-hingable alignment shoe may be utilized to initially position the work piece by locating a free edge thereof along the alignment edge of the alignment shoe. A calibrating scale assists in positioning the alignment shoes at predetermined locations upon the shoe mounting plate.

Abstract: A die pad assembly is described including a pad holder of a relatively hard elastomeric material and a pad of a softer elastomeric material. The holder defines a recess extending longitudinally of the holder and end walls closing the ends of said recess. The recess is of a cross-sectional shape defining opposed downwardly convergent wall portions and conforming generally to the shape into which articles are to be formed using the assembly. The pad is snugly received in said recess in the holder between said end walls. The pad has an upper surface to support an article to be formed and a lower surface at least parts of which are in surface contact with the convergent wall portions of the recess in the holder. In use, an article to be formed is placed on the upper surface of the pad and is engaged by the male die. Movement of the die against the article causes the pad to be compressed between the leading extremity of the die and the wall of the recess in the holder to cause the article to bend about the die.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for repairing indentions in a rigid skin, the apparatus comprising frame means supportingly holding backup means positioned to rest on a portion of the skin in close proximity to the indention, chuck means slidingly supported by the frame means to grippingly hold and movably position a dent engaging member contacting the indented portion of the skin. Retract means move the chuck means in a direction to pull the dented skin towards the backup means. In the preferred embodiment, the backup means comprise an apertured base plate contoured to matingly match the contour of the rigid skin in close proximity to the indention, a portion of the dentengaging member clearingly extending through the aperture.

Abstract: A Venturi is formed in a portion of the passage of a metal tube by drilling an opening in the downstream part of the tube wall at that portion and deforming the metal at the upstream part of the wall inwardly by a cold flow of the metal so as to define a step in that portion with the opening at the downstream end of that step.

Abstract: A press brake includes gauges on opposite sides of the punch for positioning a sheet of material being worked upon. Each of the gauges includes a magnet in the end abutting the work piece. The magnet on the back side of the punch is carried on a rod adjustably positioned by a U-bolt. The end of the rod abutting the work piece and including the magnet is convex in shape to maintain tangential contact with the work piece and thereby allow slight misalignment. The gauge on the front side of the punch is made from sheet material and has a tapered front end which includes a transversely extending surface including the magnet. The method of forming the work piece into a finished item includes positioning the front gauge a distance away from the centerline of the die and punch equal to the length of the finished work piece. One end of the work piece is positioned against the back gauge and the punch is operated. The work piece is then rotated 180.degree.

Abstract: This invention relates to a terminal locator and retainer device for use in crimping dies. More particularly the device consists of a molded block of resilient material which contains locating means for accurately positioning the terminal and retaining means for holding the terminal and wire being terminated without need for external support. Further, the device provides a dynamic means for preventing terminal bowing.