With Pivotal Tool (e.g., Sheet Metal Bender) Patents (Class 72/319)
  • Patent number: 6038909
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake includes a bending member pivotingly associated with the fixed jaw and configurable therewith in at least one of a clamping and pressing arrangement. The bending member includes semicircular-shaped projecting flange elements that are adjustably positioned within respective complementary grooves formed in the fixed jaw. The movable upper jaw and fixed lower jaw are rotatingly adjustably secured to the "C"-shaped frame member, permitting the frame and jaw assemblies to be reconfigured in various relative orientations to thereby adapt the brake to front feed, end feed, and rear feed applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Joe M. Zink
  • Patent number: 6003357
    Abstract: An accessory for a bending brake is secured to the brake only by the clamping force of the brake jaws. A pressing member is rotatably affixed to the base plate which is clamped between the jaws when in operation. A pressing member is attached to the base plate by hinge joints and a linkage, including slotted links which permit the metal sheet to be forcibly pressed against and rolled over the surface of a curved die, ensuring a smooth and even curve surface in the resulting workpiece. The die form is affixed to the front edge of the base plate. The base plates may be interchanged to include different diameter die forms for varying the radius of the executed bend. The location of the die at the front edge of the base plate permits the formation of accurate, smooth curves in sheet metal workpieces in angles of 90-degrees or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Roy D. Brown
  • Patent number: 5996389
    Abstract: A processing machine for plate-like workpieces, especially a bending machine, which has a strip-like vise holder (5) as a workpiece support for supporting the workpiece (1) to be processed and a hold-down device (3) which is subdivided into individual segments (4) which are movable relative to one another in the direction of the bending line, and preferably are also interchangeable in order to be able to be adaptable to differing dimensions and shapes of the workpiece (1) to be processed. In this way, the edges (1a) on a workpiece (1) can be bent such that they can form undercuts, but the separation of this workpiece (1) so processed from the hold-down device (1) nevertheless remains possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: EHT Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Kaltenbach
  • Patent number: 5992203
    Abstract: A combined sheet bending brake, coil holder and cut-off mechanism that includes a sheet bending brake having a support base, and elongated fixed and movable clamping members carried by the support base so as to clamp sheet stock extending longitudinally between the clamping members. A coil holder has a support frame removably cantilevered from one end of the support base. A trolley is removably mounted on the support frame, and has a pair of spaced rollers that extend axially in a direction transverse to the elongated fixed and movable clamping members on the brake for extending through and rotatably supporting a coil of sheet stock. Bars are carried by said support frame for releasably clamping a stock end extending from a coil on the trolley. A cut-off mechanism is removably mountable on the coil holder for severing sheet end stock extending from the holder into said bending brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur B. Chubb, Matthew S. Damron, James E. Suyak
  • Patent number: 5987949
    Abstract: A plate scanner-bending device having a plate bed for receiving a printing plate and a plate driver for moving the printing plate along the plate bed is disclosed. At least one scan sensor is located above the plate bed for scanning an image on the printing plate for density, along with at least one register sensor for sensing a register mark on the printing plate. The plate bed has at least one anvil at one end for a bending mechanism for bending the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignees: Heidelburg Harris, Inc., Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Roland Thomas Palmatier, Jackson Hacker Jones, Robert Richard Murray, John Sheridan Richards
  • Patent number: 5970774
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method configure lithographic plates by cutting corners and bending edges in preparation for use in web offset printing. The lithographic plate is precisely aligned and immobilized on a support bed, which has bending anvils at opposing edges of the bed. A corner die cutter advances into position above a corner of the plate, cuts a corner of the plate and then retracts. An eccentric camming member for bending the plate edges has full bearing supporting ends and additional bearings intermediate the ends. The eccentric camming members lower to the plate and rotate within their bearings to form bends of selected angles in opposing edges of the plate. The eccentric camming members are then counter rotated and raised to their position above the plate. The movements of the corner die cutter and the eccentric camming member are precisely sequenced with each other by programmable logic control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Burgess Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Burgess, William J. Campbell, Mark L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5966974
    Abstract: An automatic learning apparatus for a folding machine which automatically measures a folding angle of a member to be folded in advance and stores driving data for the folding machine with respect to a desired folding angle. Thus, the same member to be folded is folded using the previously obtained driving data. Accordingly, the automatic learning apparatus can obtain such driving data with respect to the desired folding angle swiftly and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: SDS USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Byung-Jun Song
  • Patent number: 5964119
    Abstract: In order to improve a processing machine for workpieces consisting of flat material, in particular, sheet-metal parts, comprising a work station which is designed as a bending station, in which the workpiece aligned parallel to a bending plane can be clamped by means of a lower beam and an upper beam for carrying out a bending operation and bent along a bending edge by means of a bending beam, as well as a manipulator device with a gripping means for holding the workpiece and a positioning device for the gripping means, with which this can be moved in the bending plane in a first direction transversely to the bending edge and rotated about an axis at right angles to the bending plane, such that other machining operations are possible with it in addition to one type of bending operation in order to finish a sheet-metal part at least with respect to its shaping it is suggested that the gripping means be movable with the positioning device in a second direction parallel to the bending plane and in a vertical dir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Reinhardt Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kutschker
  • Patent number: 5950479
    Abstract: In order to optimize a process for the machining of sheet-metal parts in a bending unit of a bending center, in which the sheet-metal parts are transported one after the other from a feed area to the bending unit for the purpose of bending and are thereby taken over by a first manipulator of a manipulator arrangement in a takeover position and then placed against a bending edge for carrying out at least one bending operation, it is suggested that after the last bending operation each finished sheet-metal part be moved away from a bending end position, that during the bending operation of each one of the sheet-metal parts the next respective sheet-metal part be supplied, proceeding from the feed area, to a takeover position arranged so as to be non-overlapping in relation to the bending end position and in this be positioned for gripping by the first manipulator and that the first manipulator begin to take over the next sheet-metal part in the takeover position during the period of time, during which the finis
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Reinhardt Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kutschker
  • Patent number: 5934134
    Abstract: A bending press comprises an upper frame (6); a blank holding device (103) mounted on the upper frame, for holding a sheet panel on a member opposed to the blank holding device, the blank holding device including a central member (1), two extremity members (4,4'), and a plurality of additional members (3,3') disposed between the extremity members (4, 4') and the central member (1); a storehouse mounted on an upper section of the upper frame, for storing a plurality of central members, the storehouse including: an elongated carriage (141) supported on an upper section of the upper frame (6) so as to be movable in the lateral direction of the bending press, the elongated carriage extending in the lateral direction and being provided with a plurality of first vertical guides (151) arranged along a longitudinal axis of the elongated carriage, each of the first vertical guides being adapted to engage one of the central members so as to guide the same in the vertical direction, and a support surface (153) provided
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Antonio Codatto
  • Patent number: 5927135
    Abstract: In order to improve a bending machine comprising a lower beam with a lower beam tool, an upper beam with an upper beam tool, wherein the upper beam tool and the lower beam tool are movable relative to one another for clamping a workpiece, as well as a bending beam pivotable about a pivot axis and having bending beam tool segments arranged on it, each of which has a pressure surface segment, wherein a bending beam pressure surface acting on the workpiece during bending can be made up of the pressure surface segments, such that it is possible to vary a width of the bending beam pressure surface in a simple manner it is suggested that at least one bending beam tool segment be designed to be adjustable and that the pressure surface segment of the adjustable bending beam tool segment be movable from an active position, in which it contributes to the pressure surface of the bending beam tool, into an inactive position, in which it is without effect during a bending operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Reinhardt Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kutschker
  • Patent number: 5927134
    Abstract: In order to improve a bending machine comprising a bending beam, a first and a second clamping beam for clamping a workpiece, one of which has clamping tool segments arranged so as to be interchangeable, wherein at least one clamping tool segment with a movable base has a base part mounted on an upper part and movable relative thereto from a clamping position into an insertion position and vice versa, in such a manner that such a clamping tool segment with a movable base can be handled more easily it is suggested that a drive means free from supply lines for the movement of the base part be arranged in the upper part of the clamping tool segment with a movable base, that the drive means have an energy-receiving element for supplying drive energy to an activating device arranged on the bending machine during contact with an energy input element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Reinhardt Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kutschker
  • Patent number: 5913931
    Abstract: An extended length rotary bending and forming device and method for manufacture thereof, the combination of materials and process steps used in the manufacture resulting in the production of the desired durable long length heavy duty rotary bender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Ready Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Gargrave, Steven W. Thompson, David Michael Wilson
  • Patent number: 5881591
    Abstract: In a machine for automatically bending a material into the outside skin of a channel letter, a desired configuration of the channel letter is input into a control computer. The computer controls the feed of the strip of metal into the machine for the bending of the metal into the outside skin. Feed assemblies feed the material along a material feed path of the machine. A notching station notches the edge of the material where necessary for purposes of forming flanges in the material and bending the material. A subsequent flange forming station forms the flanges on the edge of the material, when desired. A bending assembly bends the strip of material into the desired form, with the bending arm moving from one side to the other of the material as necessary. The material is cut at a cutting station immediately preceding the bending assembly when the length of the material needed for the formation of the outside skin has been fed to the appropriate point at the cutting station along the material feed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Carl Ondracek
  • Patent number: 5870919
    Abstract: The present invention provides an unified folding system for processing in one work line all working processes needed in cutting and folding a cutting blade in a shape suitable to a sheet matter molding. A cutting blade supplied from a transferring unit of the cutting blade is cut in a length suitable to a sheet matter molding configuration in a cutting molding unit adjacent thereto, simultaneously the cutting tip used in cutting is transferred together with the cutting blade to a folding device side through a guide member set which is to be contacted with the cutting molding unit, the cutting blade transferred to the folding device is folded in a predetermined shape by a folding member which performs a going-straight movement and a rotating movement, and thereby, at this time, the cutting tip is detached outside by a tare. Accordingly, a working efficiency and a productivity in the cutting and folding of the cutting blade are improved and increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: SDS USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Byung-Jun Song
  • Patent number: 5860312
    Abstract: A bending brake apparatus having a bending brake, an attached foldable table, a coil holder for holding coiled aluminum or coiled vinyl sheet material positioned at an end of the bending brake before the table and facing down the length of the table, built-in cutting means separately provided on the bending brake and on the coil holder for cutting the aluminum or vinyl sheet material, and detachable brake support leg pairs. The built-in cutting means includes cutting tools mounted on sliding bars slideably captured within rimmed tracks. The cutting tools employ offset roller cutters and include outwardly extending sheet material support rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Carl E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5842369
    Abstract: A sheet metal bending device comprising a machine frame, a lower cheek, an upper cheek adjustable relative to the lower cheek, and a bending cheek which is pivotable about a pivot axis fixed on the machine frame and whose distance from the pivot axis is adjustable, comprises the following features: an eccentric member for adjusting the distance of the bending cheek from its pivot axis, and an immobilizing mechanism for immobilizing the eccentric member in a predetermined angular position, the distance of the bending cheek from its pivot axis being adjustable by pivoting the bending cheek while the eccentric member is immobilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Reinhardt Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kutschker
  • Patent number: 5819571
    Abstract: An apparatus that allows a surgeon to bend a surgical instrument such as a phaco-emulsification tip at a surgical site. The apparatus includes a clamp that is mounted to a housing. The clamp may hold a proximal end of a phaco-emulsification tip. The tip is held adjacent to a die that is also attached to the housing. The surgeon can manually actuate an anvil that bends the phaco tip about the die. The distal end of the tip is bent along a scale located on the housing. The scale provides a visual indication of the bend angle of the tip. The surgeon can move the anvil until the distal end of the tip is aligned with a desired bend angle indicia of the scale. Multiple bend angles can be created in the phaco tip by rotating the tip within the clamp and re-actuating the anvil. The tip is eventually removed from the apparatus and attached to an ultrasonic handpiece for use in a phaco-emulsification procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Stephen Johnson
  • Patent number: 5787750
    Abstract: The present invention provides an unified folding system for processing in one work line all working processes needed in cutting and folding a cutting blade in a shape suitable to a sheet matter molding. A cutting blade supplied from a transferring unit of the cutting blade is cut in a length suitable to a sheet matter molding configuration in a cutting molding unit adjacent thereto close-situated, simultaneously the cutting tip used in cutting is transferred together with the cutting blade to a folding device side through a guide member set which is to be contacted with the cutting molding unit, the cutting blade transferred to the folding device is folded in a predetermined shape by a folding member which performs a going-straight movement and a rotating movement, and thereby, at this time, the cutting tip is detached outside by a tare. Accordingly, a working efficiency and a productivity in the cutting and folding of the cutting blade are improved and increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Byung-Jun Song
  • Patent number: 5784916
    Abstract: A die assembly includes a forming portion to form a negative angle portion when an upper die is lowered in a straight line to abut a lower die. A cylindrical rotating cam with a groove formed therein in the axial direction is rotatably mounted in the lower die. A negative angle forming portion is formed in the groove edge portion of the rotating cam. A slide cam with a negative angle forming portion is mounted on the second upper die in such a manner to be opposed to the rotating cam. An automatic return device is provided on the lower die for rotating and retracting the rotating cam to enable the removal of the workpiece from the lower die after the forming process is complete. The rotating cam includes a plurality of rotating cam members, the rotation axis positions of which differ and are parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Umix Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5775156
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for adjusting the width of the bending jaws in a bending machine. The total width (L) of the bending jaws is formed by using jaw parts and edge pieces in the following manner:a first set (R.sub.1) is elected to form a group of jaw parts of different widths for so-called fine adjustment, one at a time (R.sub.1n) being at the operational point (T) of the bending jaws,a second set (R.sub.2) is elected to form a group of jaw parts with identical width and to be separate from the edge pieces (RK.sub.1, RK.sub.2) for so-called coarse adjustment, wherein the width of the bending jaws required at a time is elected according to the equationL=R.sub.1n +N * R.sub.2i +C,whereinL=the width of the bending jaws,R.sub.1n =the width of the jaw part (n=0 . . . M) elected from the first set (R.sub.1),N=the width of the jaw parts of the second set (R.sub.2), i.e. a constant,R.sub.2i =the number (i=0 . . . k) of jaw parts of the second set (R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Balaxman Oy
    Inventors: Roberto De Rossi, Luigi Patuzzi
  • Patent number: 5775162
    Abstract: A closed tube forming apparatus including a base having spaced apart first and second support members; an elongated first die having one end supported by the first support member and an opposite end supported by the second support member, the one end being detachable from the first support member so as to permit separating movement therebetween; and an elongated second die supported by the base and extending parallel to the first die. One of the first and second dies has a transverse V-shaped cross section forming a knife edge and the other die defines a longitudinally extending V-shaped groove conforming substantially to the V-shaped cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Raymond L. Ward
  • Patent number: 5761939
    Abstract: An automatic indexer a portable sheet bending brake having a first longitudinally extending member forming a clamp surface, a second longitudinally extending member movable with respect to the first member for clamping sheet material against the clamp surface, and a third member pivotally coupled to the second member for bending sheet material clamped between the first and second members over a bending anvil on the forward edge of the second member. The indexer includes a pair of slides having means for mounting the slides parallel to each other and spaced from each other lengthwise of the clamp surface on the bending brake. A pair of carriages are each slidably disposed on one of the slides, and a bar extends longitudinally between the carriages for engagement with an edge of sheet material inserted between the first and second members of the sheet bending brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Tapco International Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Spencer, Arthur B. Chubb, Matthew S. Damron, James E. Suyak
  • Patent number: 5746082
    Abstract: A die assembly includes a forming portion to form a negative angle portion when an upper die is lowered in a straight line to abut a lower die. A cylindrical rotating cam with a groove formed therein in the axial direction is rotatably mounted in the lower die. A negative angle forming portion is formed in the groove edge portion of the rotating cam. A slide cam with a negative angle forming portion is mounted on the upper die in such a manner to be opposed to the rotating cam to enable the removal of the workpiece from the lower die after the forming process is completed. The rotating cam includes a plurality of cylindrical portions of varying diameters whereby an excessively bent negative angle forming portion may be formed by a single rotating cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Umix Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5743128
    Abstract: An apparatus for bending metal sheet comprises a frame (1), a stationary lower beam (2) with a lower clamp (5) and a movable upper beam (3) with an upper clamp (6). The clamps each have a clamping face for clamping a metal sheet in a working position. The apparatus further comprises a lower bending beam (13) and/or an upper bending beam (14) for bending upwardly or downwardly, respectively, a clamped metal sheet. At both sides the bending beam(s) is/are supported in the frame rotatably around an axis and independent of the upper and/or lower beam. The body of the lower or upper bending beam (13, 14) in a working starting position extends substantially perpendicular to the clamping face and the lower and upper clamps (5, 6) determine in cross-section in the working position a V-shape, the apex of which is directed towards the axis (15, 16) of the bending beam being in the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Cornelis Hendricus Liet
  • Patent number: 5743129
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake and stabilizing assembly wherein the sheet bending brake alone is constructed and arranged such that when a workpiece is clamped for bending when a person stands on the floor facing the handle means and the handle means is grasped and raised in a direction away from the person in order to move the handle means and raise the handles means, forces occur which prevent the handle means from moving sufficiently to produce a predetermined bend and the forces causes the entire sheet bending brake to tip away from the person about the portions of the legs which project outwardly from said bending brake and thus prevent the movement of the bending member relative to the first member and prevent bending of the workpiece. The stabilizing assembly for counteracting such forces on the sheet bending brake comprises transversely spaced rails receiving at least a portion of the ends of the leg assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur B. Chubb, James E. Suyak
  • Patent number: 5715722
    Abstract: A new Portable Sheet Metal Brake System for facilitating bending of metal, more particularly sheet metal, at various angles up to ninety degrees in a simple, controlled, and accurate procedure while compact enough to be transported to remote working locations. The inventive device includes a side support member, a flat base member secured orthogonally to the lower portion of the side support member, a flat anvil member movably secured to the side support member, a retaining means secured to the side support member and the flat anvil member, and a bending means rotatably secured to one end of the flat base member for bending metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: William E. Morley
  • Patent number: 5706692
    Abstract: A combined sheet bending brake, coil holder and cut-off mechanism that includes a sheet bending brake having a support base, and elongated fixed and movable clamping members carried by the support base so as to clamp sheet stock extending longitudinally between the clamping members. A coil holder has a support frame removably cantilevered from one end of the support base. A trolley is removably mounted on the support frame, and has a pair of spaced rollers that extend axially in a direction transverse to the elongated fixed and movable clamping members on the brake for extending through and rotatably supporting a coil of sheet stock. Bars are carried by said support frame for releasably clamping a stock end extending from a coil on the trolley. A cut-off mechanism is removably mountable on the coil holder for severing sheet end stock extending from the holder into said bending brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur B. Chubb, Matthew S. Damron, James E. Suyak
  • Patent number: 5706693
    Abstract: A portable sheet bending brake comprising a base and a plurality of C-shaped members positioned on the base. Each C-shaped member comprises a lower arm fixed to the base and an upper arm spaced from and overlying the lower arm. A first member is fixed to the lower arms of the C-shaped members and has a longitudinally extending clamping surface. A second member for bending a workpiece is hinged to the first member and extends longitudinally with respect to the first member. A longitudinally extending clamping member is pivoted to the upper arm of the C-shaped members. A handle member is provided on the brake for moving the clamping member. A cutter rotatably supports opposed cutting rolls and includes first rollers engaging the clamping member and second rollers engaging the bending member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur B. Chubb, Douglas J. Chubb, Norman L. Chubb
  • Patent number: 5694801
    Abstract: A bending apparatus includes: an upper bending die 63U for downward bending both ends of the plate material gripped between upper and lower plates 59U and 59L provided on upper and lower frames 35U and 35L, respectively and a lower bending die 63L for upward bending both ends of the same plate material; and upper and lower bending mechanisms each including a link mechanism for moving the upper bending die or the lower bending die in both upward or downward direction, respectively. In the bending apparatus according to the present invention, since the upper and lower bending mechanisms 61U and 61L are constructed by a link mechanism, respectively, it is possible to move the upper or lower bending die 63U or 63L far away from the bending position of the plate material W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hideaki Takahashi, Shigeo Koyama
  • Patent number: 5661996
    Abstract: A back gage is provided for use with a bending brake of a type that comprises a generally flat bed and a brake edge. In use, the bending brake receives the leading edge of a sheet metal member and bends a portion of the member around the brake edge in order to form a shape therein. The back gage of the present invention broadly comprises a movable carriage assembly arranged on the bed of the bending brake, a drive assembly for moving the carriage assembly relative to the brake edge of the bending brake, and a measuring device mounted to the bed of the bending brake and coupled to the movable carriage assembly. In practice, when the leading edge of the sheet metal member engages the movable carriage assembly, the measuring device conveniently displays the distance between the leading edge of the member and the brake edge of the bending brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventor: Robert E. Welty
  • Patent number: 5642639
    Abstract: A blank holder having variable assembly is used in a folding machine for the production of a sheet panel. It comprises a central element (3), a plurality of additional elements (6), a pair of expander elements (4), two extremity members (7), at least one programmable carriage (15) movable along the blank holder which is operable to modify the length of the blank holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Sapim Amada S.p.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Codatto
  • Patent number: 5630336
    Abstract: The new bending brake comprises three basic assemblies, namely a base assembly having an upward brake surface, a cover assembly having a downward brake surface above the base assembly, and an apron assembly pivotally hinged to the base assembly and having an upward brake surface. The brake surface of each of these assemblies comprises an alignment of a plurality of movable table segments that can be moved in the linear direction of the alignment and fixed against such linear movement. A support system subordinate to the brake surfaces of the table segments includes a mounting rod on which the linearly movable table segments are mounted for independent linear movement. The support system also includes foundation rods carrying elevation and horizontal adjustment members for group adjustment of the table segments with respect to the axis of bend of the brake. The cover assembly is pivotally hinged at one end to the base assembly and equipped with a latching mechanism at the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Jerry N. Jorgenson
  • Patent number: 5603236
    Abstract: A device for measuring a bending angle of a bent sheet material including a bending angle detector including first and second links arranged symmetrically relative to each other and pivotally connected with each other at one end thereof, a support mechanism for supporting the angle detector on a displaceable ram of the sheet bending press and for displacing the angle detector into an angular space defined by the bending angle of the bent sheet material, and a mechanism for biasing the first and second links into a surface contact with side surfaces of the bent sheet material defining the bending angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Toshio Hongo
  • Patent number: 5582055
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a first longitudinally extending member having a clamping surface, a clamping member having a member movable toward and away from the clamping surface for holding a workpiece in position for bending and a second member extending longitudinally with respect to said first member. Each of the first and second members have substantially the entire length of the longitudinal edges thereof formed with longitudinally spaced intermeshing integral projections, the projections on the second member having a plurality of aligned openings and the projections on the first member having a plurality of aligned openings comprising slots extending axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of said member. A hinge pin extends through the openings of the second member and the slots of the first member. The second member has a workpiece contacting portion spaced from the projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur B. Chubb, James E. Suyak
  • Patent number: 5582053
    Abstract: A portable sheet bending brake comprising a base and a plurality of C-shaped members positioned on the base. Each C-shaped member comprises a lower arm fixed to the base and an upper arm spaced from and overlying the lower arm. A first member is fixed to the lower arms of the C-shaped members and has a longitudinally extending clamping surface. A second member for bending a workpiece is hinged to the first member and extends longitudinally with respect to the first member. A longitudinally extending clamping member is pivoted to the upper arm of the C-shaped members. A handle member is provided on the brake for moving the clamping member. A track extends longitudinally on the portable sheet bending brake and a cutter is removably mounted on the track and is movable longitudinally of the track. The cutter comprises opposed cutting rolls adjacent the clamping surface when the cutter is on the track such that the cutter may be moved along the track to cut a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur B. Chubb, Douglas J. Chubb, Norman L. Chubb
  • Patent number: 5575169
    Abstract: A sheet metal bending tool including a base defining a work area, a confronting member mounted on the base adjacent the work area for biasing a portion of the sheet metal against the base, and a bending member rotatably mounted to the base and spaced from the confronting member for rotatably bending an end portion of the sheet metal and a method for accomplishing the same are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: William J. Banse
  • Patent number: 5505069
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprises a first longitudinally extending member having a clamping surface and a second member for bending a workpiece clamped on said clamping surface extending longitudinally with respect to said first member. Each of the first and second members has substantially the entire length of the longitudinal edges thereof formed with longitudinally spaced intermeshing integral projections. The projections on the second member have a plurality of aligned openings. A hinge pin extends through the openings of the second member. The second member includes an integral upper tubular portion and integral upper portion comprising an outer wall that extends upwardly and outwardly from a vertical wall of the lower portion; an integral horizontal upper wall; an integral rear wall that extends downwardly and inwardly to the front edge of the upper flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas G. Break, Arthur B. Chubb, Douglas J. Chubb, James E. Suyak
  • Patent number: 5502993
    Abstract: Apparatus for bending a lithographic plate having an image thereon, comprising an inspection system for (a) inspecting a plate held on a table at an inspection station, (b) determining the extent to which the plate needs to be adjusted relative to a predetermined reference position, and (c) generating a signal indicative of any such adjustment. A first positioning mechanism responsive to the signal automatically moves the table to position a plate on the table for a bending operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Western Litho Plate & Supply Co.
    Inventors: John W. Powers, Kelly T. McMasters
  • Patent number: 5474437
    Abstract: A lower metallic die has a major surface for supporting a workpiece thereon. A ridgeline is formed on an end portion of the major surface and with which a bending portion of the workpiece is brought into contact. An upper metallic die has a plane surface rotatable in a bending direction of the workpiece to clamp the workpiece together with the ridgeline of the lower metallic die, thereby freely bending the workpiece at one angle of desired various angles. A rotation controller controls rotation of the plane surface of the upper metallic die, thereby rotating and positioning the plane surface at a position of the one angle of the desired various angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Anritsu Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Kuroyone
  • Patent number: 5462424
    Abstract: A lower metallic die has a major surface for supporting a workpiece thereon. A ridgeline is formed on an end portion of the major surface and with which a bending portion of the workpiece is brought into contact. An upper metallic die has a plane surface rotatable in a bending direction of the workpiece to clamp the workpiece together with the ridgeline of the lower metallic die, thereby freely bending workpiece at one angle of desired various angles. A rotation controller controls rotation of the plane surface of the upper metallic die, thereby rotating and positioning the plane surface at a position of the one angle of the desired various angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Anritsu Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Kuroyone
  • Patent number: 5454247
    Abstract: Method of and apparatus for punching and bending a lithographic plate to match a particular press so that when the plate is subsequently mounted on that particular press, it is oriented to print a properly positioned image on a print surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Western Litho Plate & Supply Co.
    Inventors: John W. Powers, Kelly T. McMasters
  • Patent number: 5404742
    Abstract: A method and device for hemming metal sheet involving upsetting the sheet metal to form a skirt at an angle to the parent sheet and for hemming the skirt to the parent sheet or another sheet interposed therebetween. Both skirt forming and hemming utilize rotary bending tools to convert perpendicular motion into rotational bending force. The novel device of the present invention is a rotary hemming tool having a cylindrical rocker characterized by a flat extending along its length with two lobes defining the intersection between the flat and the cylindrical surface of the rocker. The flat and the lobes are the surfaces of the rocker which act against the upset metal skirt and against the anvil on which the metal sheet is placed. The rocker and saddle are configured to limit rocker rotation such that skirt bending commences simultaneously with rocker contact rather than interaction between the rocker and the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Ready Tools Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Wilson, John L. Meadows
  • Patent number: 5375445
    Abstract: A shaft clutch mechanism, and method and apparatus for its production are disclosed. The shaft clutch mechanism has an upper body folded into a polygonal cross section with a plurality of fingers, each finger attached to and extending from a flat section of the upper body. The shaft clutch mechanism is pressed on to one end of an inner nested element of a telescoping body and is placed inside an outer element where the fingers are slightly deformed, providing slight friction sufficient to hold the inner element in place, but still allowing it to slide relative to the outer element. The method and apparatus for producing the shaft clutch mechanism use a two stage press and a bending device to take a continuous strip of material to form blanks which then are bent to form the shaft clutch mechanism that is pressed on to the inner element of the telescoping body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Mannasset Specialty Company
    Inventor: James R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5353620
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprises a frame having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw. The fixed jaw defines a clamping surface and the movable jaw has a clamping surface movable between workpiece clamping and non-clamping positions relative to the clamping surface on the fixed jaw. A bending member is hingedly connected to the fixed jaw. A handle is pivoted to the frame. A plurality of axially extensible links are provided. Each link is pivoted at one end to the handle and at the other end to the movable jaw such that in one position of the handle, the links move the movable jaw out of clamping position, and in another position of the handle, the movable jaw is in clamping position. Each link includes an upper block connected to the frame, a shaft extending from the upper block and rotatable therein and threaded into a lower block pivoted to the movable jaw. The shaft has a socket connection in the upper end thereof accessible through an opening in the upper block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Olsen, Douglas J. Chubb, Arthur B. Chubb
  • Patent number: 5343728
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a first longitudinally extending member having a clamping surface, a clamping member having a member movable toward and away from the clamping surface for holding a workpiece in position for bending and a second member extending longitudinally with respect to said first member. Each of the first and second members have substantially the entire length of the longitudinal edges thereof formed with longitudinally spaced intermeshing integral projections, the projections on the second member having a plurality of aligned openings and the projections on the first member having a plurality of aligned openings comprising slots extending axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of said member. A hinge pin extends through the openings of the second member and the slots of the first member. The second member has a workpiece contacting portion spaced from the projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur B. Chubb, James E. Suyak
  • Patent number: 5343727
    Abstract: A panel bender which can remarkably improve productivity in a bending process, and can feed in and out works having different widths with a single conveyer without causing interference between a main body and the conveyer has a construction in which a plurality of main bodies (1) are provided at opposite positions across a conveyer (16) for feeding the work (A) to a working position within the panel bender, each of the main bodies being movable in a back and forth direction with respect to the other by a back and force feeding device (13). The conveyer (16) disposed between the main bodies is adapted to expand and contract in the width direction in cooperation with back and forth movement of the main bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hisao Osaka
  • Patent number: 5313814
    Abstract: A bending machine, capable of accurately bending a workpiece to a desired angle while protecting the workpiece from damage, comprises an upper die fastened to a ram, which is movable vertically and acts in cooperation with a stationary table to fix a workpiece to be bent, a bending blade selection arm which can be vertically swung by a bending blade selection cylinder and to which a downward bending beam and an upward bending beam are fastened in such a manner that the downward bending beam and the upward bending beam are able to swing while being vertically separated from each other, a downward bending blade for bending the workpiece downwardly when the downward bending beam is swung by a downward blade swing cylinder, and an upward bending blade for bending the workpiece upwardly when the upward bending beam is swung by an upward bending blade swing cylinder. Therefore, the upward and the downward bending blades do not rub the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Makoto Yamamoto, Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5277048
    Abstract: A process for cold working an elongated form of a steel alloy includes the step of forming a matte texture on substantially all of the surface of the elongated form. The matte texture is characterized by a plurality of random, minute, shallow indentations, uniformly distributed on the elongated form's surface. The process provides an elongated form of steel alloy that has a significantly improved capability to carry lubricant into a cold working tool or die, thereby benefiting the cold workability of the elongated form. An apparatus for carrying out the process according to the invention, in line with one or more other processing operations is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: CRS Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Lubas
  • Patent number: 5259230
    Abstract: A plurality of notches are formed in one or both ends of long pieces of sheet metal by means of a notched template and a notching tool. The notches establish the break lines on the pieces. The side edge of a sheet metal bending brake is provided with an attachment having a pointed notch receiving and locating edge intersecting the bending axis of the brake which automatically positions the stock for bending. After a bend is made on a break line, the stock is repositioned and another notch used to self-align the stock on another break line. By turning the stock over, notches in the other end can be used to position and locate a break line to perform breaks in an opposite bending direction. Labor cost is greatly reduced, waste due to improper positioning is reduced, and more accurate reproducible bends produce greater uniformity in the finished pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: Gerald W. Beyers