With Pivotal Tool (e.g., Sheet Metal Bender) Patents (Class 72/319)
  • Patent number: 5259231
    Abstract: A swivel bending machine (10) for a metal sheet (4) in which a first driving unit (12) is adapted to move upper (2) and lower (1) jaws relative to each other to clamp the metal sheet (4) therebetween with a section (5) of the metal sheet protruding beyond the first and second jaws and in which a bending jaw (3) having two endfaces is mounted on the machine frame for rotation around a stationary swivel axis (S) is driven by a second driving unit to engage the protruding section (5) of the metal sheet (4) to bend the section (5) upon rotation of the metal sheet and wherein at each of the two endfaces of the bending jaw (3) a first supporting element in the form of a swing arm (14) for the bending jaw (3) is provided between said bending jaw (3) and the machine frame (11), said swing arm (14) being adapted to be swivelled about said swivel axis (S) of the bending jaw (3) by said second driving unit (13), a second supporting element (16) for the bending jaw (3) is mounted movably on said swing arm (14) and being
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Reinhardt Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kutschker
  • Patent number: 5253498
    Abstract: A bending brake including a horizontal lower clamp jaw, a bending beam mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal relative to the lower clamp jaw, and an upper jaw carrier mounted for vertical movement into and out of work clamping engagement with the lower jaw. The upper jaw carrier has a plurality of clamp jaws mounted at angularly spaced locations on the carrier and carrier position control mechanism is provided for turning and locking the upper jaw carrier to selectively position different upper clamp jaws in an operational position relative to the lower clamp jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Roper Whitney Company
    Inventor: Roger J. Benedict
  • Patent number: 5239853
    Abstract: A folding machine in which a metal sheet is clamped between an upper and lower clamp, and the section of sheet extending out beyond the clamps is bent through a given angle by a bending cheek. During the rotating motion of the bending cheek, the bending cheek moves into an initial position perpendicular to the axis of rotation. This steers the bending cheek along a given bending contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Reinhardt Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kutschker
  • Patent number: 5222386
    Abstract: A hand brake for deforming a metal work piece, which includes a mechanism for clamping the work piece into a fixed position, such as a gripping mechanism or clamp, and a mechanism connected to the clamp for bending at least a portion of the work piece. The bending mechanism includes a bending member and a mechanism for rotating the bending member about its longitudinal axis to make contact with the work piece and angularly displace at least a portion of the work piece. The bending member is pivotally connected to the clamping mechanism and is disposable beneath at least a portion of the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Robert L. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5209096
    Abstract: An improved sheet metal brake is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the invention basically comprises an elongated rod which attaches to an existing pivotable brake lever. With this extension attached to the brake lever, a user can move the lever extension back-and-forth to open and close the brake. Because the user can now stand in the center of the sheet metal, he can use his body weight to press against the sheet metal to further secure it. This prevents the sheet metal from slipping. As a result, the sheet metal is not bent off-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Gordon A. Phelps
  • Patent number: 5168745
    Abstract: A press brake has upper dies and lower dies so as to be capable of attaching and detaching with an upper die exchange apparatus and a lower die exchange apparatus to a machine body of the press brake. And, the upper die and the lower die comprise the combination of divisional die chips. The storing of dies is performed with those die chips. And, the face width of the upper die chips is determined and combined according to size of a workpiece to be processed from the upper die chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoomi Miyagawa, Chiyoaki Yoshida, Kazuyuki Toda, Yukiyasu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5161401
    Abstract: In order to bend a hollow profile strip (53), especially a hollow profile strip (53) from which a spacer frame for an insulating glass pane is to be produced, the hollow profile strip (53) is conducted continuously for an exactly defined length, held laterally and from the bottom, underneath a roller (70) and, subsequently to the roller (70), is deflected out of the conveying direction. An apparatus suitable for this purpose comprises a gripper (52) for the defined feeding of the hollow profile strip (53), a roller (70) in contact with the wall of the hollow profile strip (53), which is then located on the inside of the curvature, and holding down the hollow profile strip (53), and a lever (59) with a stop surface (62) for the hollow profile strip (53) subsequently to the roller (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Inventor: Peter Lisec
  • Patent number: 5117669
    Abstract: An apparatus for bending hollow profile strips (1) into spacer frames for insulating glass planes includes a clamp for the hollow profile strip, which clamp can be brought into contact with the lateral surfaces of the hollow profile strip (1), an abutment (20), about which the hollow profile strip (1) is bent, and a pivotable bending lever (50). The abutment (20) is exchangeably attached to a support (21) and can be moved into and out of its operative position by pivoting the support (21) about an axis perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the clamp (2) and by shifting the support (21) perpendicularly to the plane of symmetry of the clamp (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Peter Lisec
  • Patent number: 5111676
    Abstract: A tool mountable on a helicopter blade for selectively bending the trailing edge trim tab of the blade about a selected axis along the span of the trim tab, and including a device to counterbalance the weight of the trim tab bending mechanism so that the true degree of bending of the trim tab can be determined at any time during the bending operation. The tool also includes apparatus for simultaneously calibrating the counterbalance device and the mechanism used to measure the degree to which the tab has been bent, prior to commencing the bending operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Harry L. Ruzicka, Jr., Anton J. Kompare
  • Patent number: 5112210
    Abstract: A bending machine for thermoplastic workpieces includes a first clamp assembly having first and second clamping jaws. A second clamp assembly is disposed along a first side of the first clamp assembly and includes third and fourth clamping jaws. The second clamp assembly is displaceable relative to the first clamp assembly, and the fourth clamping jaw is in planar alignment with the second clamping jaw. A heater assembly includes at least a first heating knife disposed along the first side of the first clamp assembly, and is displaceable relative to the first clamp assembly. A bending jaw is disposed along an opposite second side of the first clamp assembly and is pivotal between a first position in planar alignment with the second and fourth clamping jaws and a second position angularly disposed relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Wegener GmbH
    Inventor: Rinhard Weissfloch
  • Patent number: 5105640
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming box-shaped sheet metal ducts with Pittsburgh-type seams. The improved method is a continuous process in which the sheet metal is fed from an uncoiler, and after straightening and notching, the leading edge is fed into a single apparatus that performs all of the remaining forming functions. In this single apparatus, the leading edge of the material is formed into the male portion of the Pittsburgh seam, after which the box is formed and then the female portion of the Pittsburgh seam is formed and the material sheared to complete the box section. Using this improved method eliminates the moving of separate parts from one station to another, thereby improving the efficiency of the forming operation and the quality of the resulting box section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Iowa Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Cecil E. Moore
  • Patent number: 5099671
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for forming strips of sheet metal into supports or hangers for ducts and the like. The apparatus comprises a reel for holding a coil of sheet metal for being formed into strips, a strip feeder for extracting lengths of sheet metal from a coil of sheet metal held in the reel, and a combination brake, punch and shear mounted on the reel for causing a 90 degree bend in a portion of the strip near the end to be sheared off, for punching at least one hole in, and for shearing, each of the extracted lengths of sheet metal from the coil, the combination brake, punch and shear being configured for causing the bending, punching and shearing with a single operational stroke, a hole being punched in the extracted length of sheet metal between the bend and shear lines before the bend is made and before the strip is sheared form the coil of sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Russ Beaulac
  • Patent number: 5083355
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a hem on an edge of a sheet metal member including an anvil attached to a columnar support structure that also includes a cantilevered bracket that is the support for a movable hemmer bracket to which a hemming steel is attached. By the utilization of a pair of crank arms, the hemmer bracket is movable through a plurality of arcuate paths which permits the hemming steel to perform multiple forming operations on a workpiece held by the anvil. The method includes the steps of partially hemming a sheet metal member, then disengaging the hemming steel contact with the workpiece, then moving the hemming steel to a new location before recontacting the workpiece with the hemming steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Utica Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest A. Dacey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4993254
    Abstract: A small, lightweight, portable apparatus for use with a vise permits precise bending of material such as metal and plastic. A base of the apparatus has a size which can be clamped between the jaws of the vise along with a material to be bent. A movable member is connected to the base so that it can be pivoted relative to the base for bending an outwardly extending portion of the material clamped between the jaws of the vise. An adjustable stop on the movable member aids in setting the apparatus with respect to the vise for the particular thickness of the material to be bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: JL Manufacturing
    Inventor: John W. Mullett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4945748
    Abstract: Apparatus for making tapered four-sided sheet metal containers comprises a tapered four-sided mould 42 and a folding mechanism 26.1 for folding a sheet metal blank onto the mould. The folding mechanism comprises a carrier 28 and four folding elements 30, 32 pivotally mounted on the carrier. When the mould and the folding mechanism is displaced towards one another with the sheet metal blank 10 disposed between them, the folding elements pivot about their pivotal mountings and fold peripheral portions of the blank onto the sides of the mould.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Marsden (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Leslie A. Worship, Peter Isaacs, Steven Bain, Kenneth J. D. Bain
  • Patent number: 4944176
    Abstract: A metal plate bending machine is disclosed having a flap supported by a trolley displaceable in a cradle defining a supporting and guiding track which is in the shape of a concave cylindrical envelope portion, whose concave envelope portion is open in the direction of clamp elements, and with the track supported by a chassis suspended from the frame by a vertical and horizontal position adjustment mechanism. The flap has a radial symmetry with a plane radially passing through the flap and the center of the envelope portion and with the folding head presenting a symmetric profile on either side of the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme DIMECO ALIPRESSE
    Inventors: Jean-Marie A. Glorieux, Jean-Pierre M. D. Gouget
  • Patent number: 4930332
    Abstract: A bending machine having a plurality of reversible dies mounted on the lower end of a ram. A reversibly supporting shaft is laterally installed at the rear side of the ram, and a reversing lever is mounted on the reversibly supporting shaft. The reversible dies are removably mounted on the ends of the reversing lever to be readily exchanged from the upper die to the goose-neck die or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Maru Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Hongo
  • Patent number: 4930329
    Abstract: An installation for producing girders for building or the like uses a pair of clamping and bending units to clamp and bend strip material in incremental steps to provide shaped strip with a castellated profile used as a web. The pre-shaped strip material used as the web is then welded to further strip material which forms a longitudinal flange of the girder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Maschinenbau Gerold GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Friederich Hasenkamp
  • Patent number: 4918966
    Abstract: A work table for use in connection with a sheet metal brake is mounted on the frame of the sheet metal brake for swinging movement between a first position, where the table extends over the clamp of the brake to provide a convenient work surface for the preparation of a sheet of metal to be bent in the brake, and a second position, where the table is swung away from the clamp to enable access to the clamp for subsequent bending of the prepared sheet of metal, and is arranged to be biased by gravity into selective retention at either of the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Michael G. Raccioppi, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4875356
    Abstract: There is provided a bending mechanism for use in the fabrication of metal and other materials. The bending mechanism includes a clamping structure to secure the material to a supporting plate with the portion of the material to be bent projecting from the clamping structure. A bending plate is then brought into contact with the material and rotated about the edge of the supporting plate to bend the material to the desired angle. Multiple bending mechanisms can be utilized for longer and/or multiple bends of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Peter W. Boardman, Daniel G. McCombs
  • Patent number: 4843862
    Abstract: The bending machine has a blank holder with a support hinged on a fixed base. The blank holder is operated by a plurality of hydraulic cylinders which act from the bottom up, reacting on the fixed base. The machine has opposite blades operated by horizontal and vertical cylinders, whose ends are hinged on the fixed base. Said opposite blades are held by a common support through which pass the stems of said hydraulic cylinders operating the blank holder. Said hydraulic cylinders are also equipped with a stoppage system for stopping the blank holder in a position above a sheet metal panel placed over a fixed counterblade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Salvagnini Transferica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Guido Salvagnini
  • Patent number: 4783984
    Abstract: Apparatus for folding a sheet metal element comprises a frame, two carriers carried by the frame, and two gripping platens which are secured to respective ones of the carriers and at least one of which is movable in unison with the associated carrier transversely to the sheet metal element gripped between said platens. At least one bending tool is provided, which is movable generally parallel to the sheet metal element and is also movable transversely to the sheet metal element and is operatively connected to drive means for moving the tool in said two directions. The tool cooperates with one of the gripping platens, which constitutes a backing tool. In order to prevent a deflection of the gripping platens during the folding operation, those drive means which serve to move the bending tool generally parallel to the sheet metal element is supported by the carrier which carries that gripping platen which serves as a backing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Aschauer
  • Patent number: 4768367
    Abstract: A bending brake has a stationary table having a generally planar work surface having a straight front edge, a pivotable table having a generally planar work surface having a straight rear edge, a clamp for retaining a workpiece on the table with an end portion of the workpiece projecting forward past the front edge of the stationary table, and a pivot carrying the pivotable table for angular displacement about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the front edge of the stationary table and generally coinciding with the rear edge of the pivotable table. Supports and guides allow the pivot axis to be displaced such that the axis always lies parallel to the front edge and substantially in the plane of the work surface of the stationary table and in a rearmost position of the pivotable table its rear edge lies against the front edge of the stationary table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Pierre Favrin
  • Patent number: 4766757
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a frame having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and an anvil member adjustably secured to the movable jaw. The fixed jaw has a clamping surface movable between workpiece clamping and non-clamping positions relative to the clamping surface of the fixed jaw. A bending member is hingedly connected to the fixed jaw. The movable jaw is releasably locked in workpiece clamping position by a structure that includes a plurality of extensible links that are pivoted at one end to the movable jaw and at the other end to a handle. By manipulating the handle the links are moved to move the movable jaw into and out of locked clamping position. Each link is axially adjustable in length to lengthen or shorten it and includes a resilient portion to accommodate manufacturing variations or tolerances in the thickness of the sheet material being bent and to facilitate locking and unlocking of the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Break, Walter G. Marsh, James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4765171
    Abstract: An apparatus for flanging sheet metal blanks comprises a holding-down ram (4), which is provided with a holding-down shoe (5), that is composed of a plurality of segments, which are arranged in a row and comprise a mid-segment (7) and at each end of the mid-segment a plurality of side segments (6), which are displaceable along said row, which is parallel to a bend line, about which the blank is to be flanged. To facilitate the removal of the mid-segment from the row of segments, the holding-down ram (4) carries a slider, which is displaceable in the direction of movement of the holding-down ram and has a slide track (10), which is open at least at one end and serves to guide the mid-segment (7). The slider (11) is adapted to be raised to a retracted position adjacent to a segment changer (13) for replacing a given mid-segment (7) by another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Johann Klingesberger
  • Patent number: 4761985
    Abstract: In apparatus for flanging sheet metal blanks, a holding-down mechanism comprises a holding-down ram (3) and a holding-down shoe (4), which comprises a plurality of displaceable segments (6), which are mounted on said ram for a displacement along a track, which is carried by the ram (3) and parallel to the line of bend. The displaceable segments are displaceable along said track by adjusting rod means (17). To permit the displaceable segments to be displaced in a simple manner, each displaceable segment (6) has associated therewith a coupling (19) for non-displaceably connecting each displaceable segment (6) to an associated adjusting rod (17) and to the holding-down ram (3) in alternation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Johann Klingesberger
  • Patent number: 4756863
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for hot-forming a laminated sheet of synthetic resin. The sheet, in at least its region that is to be deformed, is heated to the forming temperature which is equal to or higher than the melting temperature of a thermoplastic bonding agent which is disposed between the laminate layers containing a duromer plastic material and planar carrier materials. The sheet is bent around a cylindrical surface with the aid of a movably guided bending plate, and is cooled. During a large part of the bending operation, the bending plate will be in planar contact with the border region of the sheet. The individual laminate layers will be mutually displaced in the bending region and in the border region in the direction of the sheet's surface, and after the bending operation, the bending plate holds the border region in its bent position at least until the resolidification of the thermoplastic bonding agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Isovolta Osterreichische Isolierstoffwerke
    Inventor: Georg Petershofer
  • Patent number: 4722214
    Abstract: Accurate and rapid folding of a sheet work is realized by a split die for holding the work in a folding machine or other similar machine, a method for the formation of the split die, and a work feeding apparatus for positional adjustment of the work for the sake of a folding operation, as contemplated by the present invention. The split die is composed of a pair of block dies adapted to be simultaneously moved in equal amounts away from or toward each other with respect to the center of the die of the folding machine and a multiplicity of segment dies to be inserted between the block dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Hayashi, Shigemi Ono, Akitoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4713957
    Abstract: End mounts (92, 94) of an attachment are connected to bed (14) and bending leaf (44) portions of a shet metal brake (10). A right angle outer corner (102) is formed where an upper edge surface 46 of the bending leaf (44) intersects a side surface (48) of the bending leaf (44). A bending member (90) extends between the end mounts (92, 94) and is mounted for pivotal movement between a start position and a forming position. The bending member (90) carries force applying surface means (38) which rests on an overhanging portion of a sheet metal member (42). The operator swings the bending member (90) downwardly and as the bending member (90) so moves, the force applying surface (38) bends the sheet metal member (42) down about the right angle corner (102). The end mounts (86, 88) are formed to include arcuate slots (104, 106) having geometric centers which coincide with the bending corner (102 ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Inventors: Ernest J. Eder, Laverne D. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 4671094
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a plurality of C-shaped frame members that support a first member. The first member has a clamping surface. A second member is hinged to the first member and has a bending surface. A plurality of bars are pivoted to the frame members and support an anvil member that extends longitudinally of the first member. A plurality of eccentric cams are secured on a cam support shaft. Each bar is generally C-shaped in cross section and a cam is positioned between the upper and lower flanges thereof. A handle is secured to the shaft such that when the handle is operated, the eccentric cams are rotated to move the bars and, in turn, the anvil member into and out of clamping position with respect to the clamping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Break
  • Patent number: 4660402
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the tool length of a bending machine comprises a ram having a lower end, a top tool body mounted on the lower end of the ram, a bottom tool mounted below the top tool body, a top tool including a pair of central dies mounted longitudinally movably on the lower end of the ram, a plurality of upper split dies arranged outside the central dies and mounted reversibly to the upper die row, a plurality of thin upper dies inserted reversibly between the central dies and being thinner than the upper split die, and upper corner dies arranged on both left and right ends of the upper split die, a shift mechanism for sliding the central dies reversely at the central portion of the lower portion of the ram, a drive mechanism for sliding the upper corner dies to the longitudinally symmetrical positions of the lower portion of the ram, shafts pivotably disposed at the back of the central dies and upper corner dies, a plurality of the upper split dies wedged to the shafts and reversed in pivoting o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Maru Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Hongo
  • Patent number: 4651553
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a plurality of C-shaped frame members that support a first member. The first member has a clamping surface. A second member is hinged to the first member and has a bending surface. A plurality of bars are pivoted to the frame members and support an anvil member that extends longitudinally of the first member. A cam support shaft is rotatably mounted on the frame members and a plurality of eccentric cams are secured on the shaft. Each bar is generally C-shaped and a cam is positioned between the upper and lower flanges thereof. A handle is secured to the shaft such that when the handle is operated, the eccentric cams are rotated to move the bars and, in turn, the anvil member into and out of clamping position. The shaft and eccentric cams are provided with circumferentially spaced teeth extending axially so that the cams are locked in any adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4594867
    Abstract: A sheet bending machine wherein a sheet of metal is fixed between a clamping beam and a lower beam mounted with interchangeable folding rails and wherein the bending is performed by a bending beam being swung against the projecting part of the sheet metal. The interchangeable folding rails have markings, for example, protrusions or recesses on the rear edge which cooperate with a set of members for establishment of a steering code which determines the maximum permissible bending angle for the folding rail. The code may be in the nature of a series of contacts which are opened or closed, dependent on the folding rail being used, having a recess opposite them or not. The state of the contacts may, for example, be sensed by a cam disc which curves synchronically with the swing movement of the bending beam and successively opens the contacts which are connected in parallel above them, so that a current circuit is switched when both corresponding pair of contacts are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Maskinfabriken Cidan A/S
    Inventor: Jorgen S. Andersen
  • Patent number: 4594868
    Abstract: A method for registering in an offset printing press comprises: mounting a printing plate on a shiftable table of a plate bending machine; detecting datum fine lines on said plate, by means of optical sensors; shifting the shiftable table so that said datum fine lines are placed at specific positions; inscribing, by means of a register mark inscribing device, register marks for carrying out automatic registering while, at the same time, bending the lateral edges of the printing plate; thereafter mounting the printing plate on a corresponding plate cylinder of a printing press; and carrying out automatic registering. The above plate bending machine comprises plate bending mechanisms, a shiftable table for holding the printing plate, optical detection sensors disposed above the shiftable table and operating to detect datum lines on the plate and thereby to generate signals for the movement of the table and register mark inscribing devices for automatic registering on a plate cylinder of the printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Insatsu Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Takeuchi, Michiaki Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Hashimoto, Daiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4578980
    Abstract: An angle indicator for use with hand operated sheet metal brakes having a bed (A), a beam (B), an apron (C), a hinge rod (G) disposed substantially colinear with a desired bend line (D) to be formed in a worksheet (E), an apron mounted hinge rod receiving arm (I) and a bed mounted hinge rod receiving arm (H), the angle indicator including a gauge face (12) operably affixed to the apron mounted hinge rod receiving arm (I) and having a plurality of guidelines (22) and angular indicia (23) formed on the face thereof and an angle indicator arm (11) operably affixed to the bed mounted hinge rod receiving arm (H), which angle indicator arm (11) may be compared with the relative position of the gauge face (12) such that the angular position of the apron (C) with respect to the bed (A) can be read directly from the gauge face (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignees: Timothy C. Beckman, Avis M. Beckman, Polly J. Beckman
    Inventor: Harold Beckman
  • Patent number: 4566304
    Abstract: A portable sheet metal bending brake of enhanced clamping and bending capacity and wherein a cam-actuated clamping structure is provided. The brake includes a plurality of upstanding structural castings which are partially bifurcated to pivotally support upper clamping arms cooperable with lower, casting-mounted workpiece support and bending elements. The bifurcated castings also provide support for a cam shaft on which individual cams are fixed for clamping contact with the clamping arms. The cam clamping force exertible on each arm cam be individually adjusted through a slide plate mounted on the arm and movable to vary the precise cam-arm contact point. Thus, the brake can be assembled completely and the cam plates individually adjusted to ensure uniform clamping of the workpiece along the entire length of the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Van Mark Products Corporation
    Inventors: Van Cleave, Eugene H., Douglas G. Break
  • Patent number: 4558582
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided which forms flanges on sheet metal for ventilation duct walling. The apparatus comprises a die support which contains a pressure die, a beam punch carrier mounted in low-friction manner on the die support, and a forming roller pivotally housed in a recess of the die support. Hydraulic drives are supported, each between the die support on the one hand and the beam punch carrier or the forming roller on the other hand, and these produce the movements necessary for edge folding and roll forming. The forces which arise are taken up directly at their point of origin by the mutually moving parts themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Inventor: Manfred Meinig
  • Patent number: 4557132
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a first longitudinally extending member having a clamping surface, a clamping 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: February 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Break
  • Patent number: 4557684
    Abstract: A bender for plastic printing plates locates the line of fold from the leading edge of the plate by providing positioning means adjacent the die surface. The printing plate is placed on a flat base and adjusted to engage the positioning means, the latter in alignment relative to the die. Next, a guide means lifts an edge segment of the plate into a position for engagement by a channel carried by the die. As the die swingably moves through an arc, the edge segment is reversely folded back and into contact with an adjacent area of the sheet while forming a crease sufficient to overcome a substantial part of the memory of the sheet along the line of fold. Consequently, plate image will be precisely parallel to the line of fold, thereby minimizing setup time. Also, plates of various lengths may be bent without adjusting the bender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Didde Graphic Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Romine, Woodrow W. Pendleton, Daniel D. Dillinger
  • Patent number: 4532792
    Abstract: This invention relates to a forming machine which is composed of several types of split dies in an upper die. The length of the upper die is adjusted by changing the combination of the split dies. The upper die assembly has an upper die body mounted on the lower end of a ram. A group of upper split dies are slideably inserted laterally of the die and in the lower portion of the upper die body. A number of upper thin dies are inversely mounted at the center of the upper split die group. A select finger driving mechanism is provided at the front of the upper die body to slide the upper split dies in the lateral direction of the die. An inverting mechanism is provided at the rear of the upper die body to invert the desired number of the upper thin dies and locate them between the split dies to form a die of the desired bending length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Maru Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Hongo
  • Patent number: 4512174
    Abstract: A combined sheet bending brake and platform comprising a base, first and second bending members hinged to one another, an anvil member for clamping a work piece of sheet material on the first member such that moving the second member relative to the first member will bend the sheet material and a platform extending longitudinally for at least a portion of the length of the sheet bending brakes along the base generally parallel and opposite to the hinge axis of the two members such that the area overlying the brake is generally unobstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4510785
    Abstract: An automatic sheet metal folding machine comprises two gripping members and upper and lower folding members disposed respectively above and below the gripping members. The folding members are pivotally mounted about pivot axes generally fixed during folding operations. The gripping members are adapted to clamp the sheet of metal therebetween and bring the sheet of metal to an upper or lower horizontal reference plane for folding, or some position therebetween. The upper folding member folds sheet metal downwardly and the lower folding member folds sheet metal upwardly, thereby avoiding having to turn over the sheet of metal. An orientation table may be associated with the actual folding machine for turning around a sheet of metal between successive folding operations and/or feeding and discharging the sheet of metal into and out of the folding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Ets. Y. Jouanel S.A.
    Inventors: Jean Triouleyre, Jean Rousselin, Patrick Schmit, Philippe Gondry
  • Patent number: 4497190
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for imparting a three-dimensionally curved configuration to a straight elongated element wherein one end of the element is removably supported with its axis coincident with a reference axis. The element is partially pre-bent away from the reference axis into conformity with a two-dimensional first guide path. Thereafter, the pre-bent element is bent into conformity with a three-dimensional helical second guide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Morgan Construction Company
    Inventor: Harold E. Woodrow
  • Patent number: 4494397
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a plurality of C-shaped frame members that support a first member. The first member has a clamping surface. A second member is hinged to the first member and has a bending surface. A plurality of bars are pivoted to the frame members and support an anvil member that extends longitudinally of the first member. A cam support shaft is rotatably mounted on the frame members and a plurality of eccentric cams are secured on the shaft. Each bar is generally C-shaped and a cam is positioned between the upper and lower flanges thereof. A handle is secured to the shaft such that when the handle is operated, the eccentric cams are rotated to move the bars and, in turn, the anvil member into and out of clamping position. The shaft and eccentric cams are provided with circumferentially spaced teeth extending axially so that the cams are locked in any adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4493200
    Abstract: A portable sheet bending brake comprising a first member defining a clamping surface extending longitudinally, a second member extending longitudinally and hinged to the fixed member, and an anvil member extending longitudinally of the sheet bending brake that is moved into and out of clamping position with the fixed member. A floating compensator comprising a compensator member is pivoted to the bending member and a workpiece engaging pad is pivoted to the compensator member such that as the bending member is swung to bend a workpiece, the pad engages the surface of the workpiece and remains in contact with the workpiece at the same area by the relative pivotal action of the bending member, the compensator member and the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4489583
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a plurality of C-shaped frame members that support a first member. The first member has a clamping surface. A second member is hinged to the first member and has a bending surface. A plurality of bars are pivoted to the frame members and support an anvil member that extends longitudinally of the first member. A cam support shaft is rotatably mounted on the frame members and a plurality of eccentric cams are secured on the shaft. Each bar is generally C-shaped and a cam is positioned between the upper and lower flanges thereof. A handle is secured to the shaft such that when the handle is operated, the eccentric cams are rotated to move the bars and, in turn, the anvil member into and out of clamping position. A cover is provided on each bar to enclose the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4489587
    Abstract: A die for the manufacture of tray like sections has a member with a plurality of slots arranged to accommodate a variety of required gap dimensions. The slots are arranged in a pattern which consists of two sections each of which extends from a common datum in opposite directions along the length of the die. The first or integer section is of arbitrary length and contains slots spaced equally apart from each other a convenient value or metric. The distance between the right edge of the slot and the datum is equal to the metric value.The second section or vernier section contains slots with a different spacing pattern depending on the degree of precision required of the vernier. These slots are spaced incrementally from the datum by a value equal to a multiple of the metric plus a fractional value of the metric. This arrangement permits the accommodation of various tray sizes larger than a minimum size as dictated by die design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Robert H. Sturges, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4479375
    Abstract: A bending mandrel arrangement for use in a machine for the simultaneous bending of a plurality of parallel reinforcing rods for concrete comprises a work support beam on which the rods rest, a trackrail mounted on said work support and having an upper open grooveway and a vertical wall, a plurality of mandrels having arms which engage in said trackway and abut said vertical wall so that the mandrel arms can be simultaneously urged into clamping engagement with said trackrail, and a bending bar which is movable around said mandrel arms to bend said rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: Rolf Peddinghaus
    Inventors: Siegfried Klaus, Albert Einhaus
  • Patent number: 4445356
    Abstract: A combined portable sheet bending brake and coil holder wherein the coil holder is mounted and removed from the brake without the use of tools. The brake comprises a frame having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, an anvil member secured to the fixed jaw, the movable jaw having a clamping surface movable between workpiece clamping and non-clamping positions relative to the anvil member. A bending member is hinged to the fixed jaw. The coil holder supports a coil of sheet material. The frame of the brake and the coil holder have interengaging hooks whereby the coil holder may be mounted and removed from the frame. When the coil holder is in position, the coil is positioned such that the leading edge of the coil may be extended between the clamping surfaces and clamped to permit cut off of a desired length of sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur B. Chubb, Richard J. MacLeod, James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: RE31938
    Abstract: A web bending fixture to bend lithographic plates used in web offset printing and production. Precise bends are created by a precision machine tool fixture. The fixture utilizes continuously supported eccentric camming members, one on each end of the fixture, each supported by a plurality of split bearings within which the camming members rotate. After the lithographic plate is precisely aligned with unique registration means and immobilized, the camming members, are moved into position and, rotating within the bearings, form the leading and trailing edges of the plate around precisely positioned and fixed anvils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Chesley F. Carlson Company
    Inventor: Roger Klukow