US3628369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube flattening and bending machine
Assignee: Butler Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1969-07-16
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1989-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A machine for flattening portions of a straight length of tubing and for bending the tubing into a zigzag shape. Movable outboard stations are mounted by rollers on a rail extending to each side of an immovable central station. Associated with each station is an anvil and hammer assembly to hold, to flatten and to grip a portion of the tubing. A hydraulic cylinder is mounted on alternate outboard stations to move the anvil and hammer assembly in an upwardly direction from the rail, thereby bending the tubing into a zigzag shape.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan G Williamson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:47
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D11/00; B21D11/06; B21D11/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A tube-bending machine operable to form a straight length of tubing into a ZigZag web member having flattened sections of tubing at its apices; said machine comprising: a normally fixed central station; a rail member extending on both sides of said central station, said rail member of sufficient length to accommodate said straight length of tubing from which said web member is to be formed; a plurality of movable outboard stations mounted on said rail member with at least one on each side of said central station; a tube flattening and gripping assembly associated with each said station, each of said assemblies having tube-engaging surfaces and operable to flatten and to grip a section of said tubing; first power means for operating said assemblies to flatten and to grip a section of said tubing; bending means associated with at least one movable outboard station on each side of said central station, said bending means operable to move said flattening and gripping assemblies of said one movable outboard station on each side of said central station in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of said rail member; second power means for operating said bending means of said one movable outboard station on each side of said central station; and link means for connecting successive stations, said link means operable to cause said movable outboard stations to move toward said central station as said second power means operates said bending means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A tube-bending machine operable to form a straight length of tubing into a ZigZag web member having flattened sections of tubing at its apices; said machine comprising: a normally fixed central station; a rail member extending on both sides of said central station, said rail member of sufficient length to accommodate said straight length of tubing from which said web member is to be formed; a plurality of movable outboard stations mounted on said rail member with at least one on each side of said central station; a tube flattening and gripping assembly associated with each said station, each of said assemblies having tube-engaging surfaces and operable to flatten and to grip a section of said tubing; first power means for operating said assemblies to flatten and to grip a section of said tubing; bending means associated with at least one movable outboard station on each side of said central station, said bending means operable to move said flattening and gripping assemblies of said one movable outboard station on each side of said central station in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of said rail member; second power means for operating said bending means of said one movable outboard station on each side of said central station; and link means for connecting successive stations, said link means operable to cause said movable outboard stations to move toward said central station as said second power means operates said bending means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The machine as in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said movable outboard stations are alternately disposed on said rail members away from said central station such that an outboard station having bending means is followed by an outboard station having no bending means and an outboard station having no bending means is followed by an outboard station having bending means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The machine as in claim 1, wherein said movable outboard stations are mounted on said rail members by rollers to permit movement of said outboard stations along the lengthwise direction of said rail members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The machine as in claim 1, wherein each of said assemblies includes: an anvil having a tube flattening and gripping surface; a hydraulic cylinder; a reciprocable piston associated with said hydraulic cylinder; and a hammer opposed to said anvil having a tube flattening and gripping surface connected to said piston of said hydraulic cylinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The machine as in claim 4, wherein said tube flattening and gripping surface of said anvil conforms to said tube flattening and gripping surface of said hammer to impart the contour and dimensions of the latter surface to the flattened section of said tubing when said activating means operates said assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The machine as in claim 4, said anvil and hammer removably mounted on said assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The machine as in claim 1, each of said bending means including a hydraulic cylinder and a piston associated with said hydraulic cylinder connected to said assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The machine as in claim 1, said first means capable of substantially simultaneously operating said assemblies to flatten and to grip sections of said tubing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The machine as in claim 1, said second power means capable of substantially simultaneously operating said bending means of said movable outboard stations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The machine as in claim 1, said link means for connecting successive stations including link member extending between said successive stations one end of said member pivotally connected to one of said stations and the other end of said member pivotally connected to the other of said stations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The machine as in claim 1, wherein stop means prevent successive stations from moving closer to each other than a preselected distance when said second power means operates said bending means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The machine as in claim 11, said stop means including adjustable bolt means, at least one of which is connected to each of said stations, said bolt means having a station engaging surface to prevent successive stations from moving closer to each other than a preselected distance when said second power means operates said bending means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |