Method and apparatus for bending tubing

Claim 2

Apparatus for bending metal tubing including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary die mounted by the frame means, a bending die, shaft means journally mounted on the slide member supporting the bending die, clamping means for securing the metal tubing against longitudinal movement during a bending operation, means for reciprocating the slide member to effect relative rotation of the shaft means and the bending die, actuating means for the clamping means, means for controlling the depth of bend formed in the tubing including a rectilinearly movable member, motion translating means for transmitting rotational movement of said shaft means to effect rectilinear movement of the rectilinearly movable member, an index element mounted by said rectilinearly movable member for adjustment along said member, a scale having graduations for cooperation with said index element, the relative position of said index element with respect to the graduations on the scale determining the depth of bend to be formed in the tubing, and control means activated by said index element for interrupting bending movement of the bending die when a predetermined depth of bend in the tubing has been effected.

Claim 3

Apparatus for bending metal tubing including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary die mounted by the frame means, a bending die, shaft means journally mounted on the slide membEr supporting the bending die, relatively movable clamping means for holding the metal tubing adjacent the stationary die, actuating means for reciprocating the slide member to effect relative rotation of the shaft means and the bending die, means for actuating the clamping means to clamping and release positions, means for controlling the depth of bend formed in the tubing including an element rotatable with the shaft means, a rectilinearly movable member mounted by the frame means and arranged to be actuated by said rotatable element, an index element mounted by said rectilinearly movable member for adjustment along said member, a scale having graduations for cooperation with said index element, the relative position of said index member with respect to the graduations on the scale determining the depth of bend to be formed in the tubing, and control means activated by said index member for interrupting movement of the slide member to terminate bending movement of the bending die when a predetermined depth of bend in the tubing has been effected.

Claim 4

Apparatus for bending metal tubing including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary die mounted by the frame means, a bending die, shaft means journally mounted on the slide membEr supporting the bending die, relatively movable clamping means for holding the metal tubing adjacent the stationary die, actuating means for reciprocating the slide member to effect relative rotation of the shaft means and the bending die, means for actuating the clamping means to clamping and release positions, means for controlling the depth of bend formed in the tubing including an element rotatable with the shaft means, a rectilinearly movable member mounted by the frame means and arranged to be actuated by said rotatable element, an index element mounted by said rectilinearly movable member for adjustment along said member, a scale having graduations for cooperation with said index element, the relative position of said index member with respect to the graduations on the scale determining the depth of bend to be formed in the tubing, and control means activated by said index member for interrupting movement of the slide member to terminate bending movement of the bending die when a predetermined depth of bend in the tubing has been effected.

Claim 5

The combination according to claim 2 wherein the index element is provided with a cam surface, the control means including a limit switch which is engaged by the cam surface for interrupting the actuating means for reciprocating the slide member.

Claim 6

Apparatus for bending metal tubing including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary die mounted by the frame means, a bending die, shaft means journally mounted on the slide member supporting the bending die, relatively movable clamping means for holding the metal tubing adjacent the stationary die, actuating means for reciprocating the slide member to effect relative rotation of the shaft means and the bending die, means for actuating the clamping means to clamping and release positions, means for controlling the depth of bend formed in the tubing including a member having peripheral teeth rotatable with the shaft means, a rectilinearly movable member having rack teeth associated therewith enmeshed with the teeth of the rotatable member, an index element, a control element for cooperation with the index element, one of said elements being movable with the rectilinearly movable member, one of said elements being adjustable for predetermining the depth of a bend to be formed, and means rendered effective upon said elements being in a predetermined relation for interrupting movement of the bending die when a predetermined depth of bend in the tubing has been effected.

Claim 7

Apparatus for bending metal tubing including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary die mounted by the frame means, a bending die, shaft means journally mounted on the slide member supporting the bending die, relatively movable clamping means for holding the metal tubing adjacent the stationary die, actuating means for reciprocating the slide member to effect relative rotation of the shaft means and the bending die, means for actuating the clamping means to clamping and release positions, means for controlling the depth of bend formed in the tubing including a member having peripheral teeth rotatable with the shaft means, a rectilinearly movable member having rack teeth associated therewith enmeshed with the teeth of the rotatable member, an index element, a control element for cooperation with the index element, one of said elements being movable with the rectilinearly movable member, one of said elements being adjustable for predetermining the depth of a bend to be formed, and means rendered effective upon said elements being in a predetermined relation for interrupting movement of the bending die when a predetermined depth of bend in the tubing has been effected.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 4 wherein the index element is movable with the rectilinearly movable member and the control element is movable with the slide member.

Claim 9

Apparatus for bending metal tubing including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary die mounted by the frame means, a bending die, shaft means journally mounted on the slide member and supporting the bending die, relatively movable clamping means for holding the metal tubing adjacent the stationary die, a hydraulic actuator for reciprocating the slide member to effect relative rotation of the shaft means and the bending die, means for actuating the clamping means to clamping and release positions, means for controlling the depth of bend formed in the tubing including a toothed member rotatable with the shaft means, a rectilinearly movable member having a rack portion, the teeth of the rack portion being enmeshed with the teeth of the rotatable member, an index element adjustably mounted by the rectilinearly movable member and movable therewith, a scale having graduations cooperating with the adjustable index element for predetermining the depth of bend to be formed in the tubing, valve means for controlling flow of fluid to said hydraulic actuator, and control means activated by the index element for interrupting fluid flow to the hydraulic actuator to thereby complete a bending movement of the benDing die.

Claim 10

Apparatus for bending metal tubing including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary die mounted by the frame means, a bending die, shaft means journally mounted on the slide member and supporting the bending die, relatively movable clamping means for holding the metal tubing adjacent the stationary die, a hydraulic actuator for reciprocating the slide member to effect relative rotation of the shaft means and the bending die, means for actuating the clamping means to clamping and release positions, means for controlling the depth of bend formed in the tubing including a toothed member rotatable with the shaft means, a rectilinearly movable member having a rack portion, the teeth of the rack portion being enmeshed with the teeth of the rotatable member, an index element adjustably mounted by the rectilinearly movable member and movable therewith, a scale having graduations cooperating with the adjustable index element for predetermining the depth of bend to be formed in the tubing, valve means for controlling flow of fluid to said hydraulic actuator, and control means activated by the index element for interrupting fluid flow to the hydraulic actuator to thereby complete a bending movement of the benDing die.

Claim 11

The combination according to claim 6 wherein the index element is provided with a cam surface, the control means including a limit switch engaged by the cam surface to actuate the valve means and interrupt flow of fluid to the hydraulic actuator.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 7 wherein the limit switch is mounted for movement with the slide member.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 6 wherein the means for actuating the clamping means includes a second hydraulic actuator, and fluid reaction means effective during formation of a bend for resisting rotational movement of the bending die.

Claim 14

Apparatus for bending a metal tube including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary die mounted by the frame means, a bending die, crankshaft means journally mounted on the slide member carrying the bending die for movement relative to the stationary die, clamping means for holding the metal tube adjacent said dies, means for actuating the clamp means to tube clamping and release positions, adjustable means associated with and actuated by said slide member for determining the depth of bend formed in the tube, a tube control carriage, means supporting the carriage for rectilinear movement in a direction normal to the direction of reciprocatory movement of the slide member, a threaded shaft, an indexing member engageable with the threaded shaft, said indexing member being movable with the carriage, means for effecting relative movement between the threaded shaft and said indexing member for longitudinally moving the carriage along the shaft, tube-gripping means mounted by the carriage, means for actuating the tube-gripping means to tube-gripping and release positions, means for indicating linear movement of the carriage lengthwise of the threaded shaft including characters associated with the threaded shaft indicating units of linear distance along the shaft, said indexing member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced means arranged in spaced relation lengthwise of the threaded shaft for registration with the characters on the shaft for indicating subincremental distances dependent upon the relative position of the indexing member with respect to the threaded shaft, and means for effecting rotation of the tube gripping means relative to the carriage for rotating the tube to determine the angularity of the bend to be formed with respect to the preceding formed bend.

Claim 15

Apparatus for bending a metal tube including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary die mounted by the frame means, a bending die, crankshaft means journally mounted on the slide member carrying the bending die for movement relative to the stationary die, clamping means for holding the metal tube adjacent said dies, means for actuating the clamp means to tube clamping and release positions, adjustable means associated with and actuated by said slide member for determining the depth of bend formed in the tube, a tube control carriage, means supporting the carriage for rectilinear movement in a direction normal to the direction of reciprocatory movement of the slide member, a threaded shaft, an indexing member engageable with the threaded shaft, said indexing member being movable with the carriage, means for effecting relative movement between the threaded shaft and said indexing member for longitudinally moving the carriage along the shaft, tube-gripping means mounted by the carriage, means for actuating the tube-gripping means to tube-gripping and release positions, means for indicating linear movement of the carriage lengthwise of the threaded shaft including characters associated with the threaded shaft indicating units of linear distance along the shaft, said indexing member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced means arranged in spaced relation lengthwise of the threaded shaft for registration with the characters on the shaft for indicating subincremental distances dependent upon the relative position of the indexing member with respect to the threaded shaft, and means for effecting rotation of the tube gripping means relative to the carriage for rotating the tube to determine the angularity of the bend to be formed with respect to the preceding formed bend.

Claim 16

The combination according to claim 10 including means for locking the carriage in adjusted positions relative to said threaded shaft, and means for locking said tube-gripping means in positions of rotation relative to said carriage.

Claim 17

The combination according to claim 10 wherein the indexing member is rotatably supported by the carriage.

Claim 18

Apparatus for bending a metal tube including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary die mounted by the frame means, a bending die, crankshaft means journally mounted on the slide member carrying the bending die for movement relative to the stationary die, clamping means for holding the metal tube adjacent said dies, means for actuating the clamp means to tube gripping and release positions, adjustable means associated with and actuated by said slide member for determining the depth of bend formed in the tubing, a tube control carriage, means supporting the carriage for rectilinear movement in a direction normal to the direction of reciprocatory movement of the slide member, a threaded shaft, an indexing member having operative engagement with the threaded shaft, said indexing member being movable with the carriage, means for effecting relative movement between said threaded shaft and said indexing member for effecting longitudinal movement of the carriage along the threaded shaft, tube-gripping means mounted by the carriage, means for actuating the tube gripping means to tube grippiNg and release positions, means for indicating linear movement of the carriage lengthwise of the shaft including characters associated with the threaded shaft indicating units of linear distance along the shaft, said indexing member having radial openings spaced circumferentially and in lengthwise arranged echelon for indicating subdivisions of the unit distances represented by the characters associated with the threaded shaft dependent upon the relative position of rotation of the indexing member with respect to the threaded shaft, means for effecting rotation of the tube gripping means relative to the carriage for rotating the tube including a protractor member mounted by the carriage and having circumferentially spaced graduations thereon, an arm associated with the tube-gripping means and cooperating with the graduations on said protractor member, means for locking the arm to the protractor member for securing the tubing in a predetermined position of rotation for determining the angularity of a bend to be formed with respect to the angularity of the preceding formed bend in the tube, and means for locking the carriage in an adjusted position relative to the threaded shaft.

Claim 19

Apparatus for bending a metal tube including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary die mounted by the frame means, a bending die, crankshaft means journally mounted on the slide member carrying the bending die for movement relative to the stationary die, clamping means for holding the metal tube adjacent said dies, means for actuating the clamp means to tube gripping and release positions, adjustable means associated with and actuated by said slide member for determining the depth of bend formed in the tubing, a tube control carriage, means supporting the carriage for rectilinear movement in a direction normal to the direction of reciprocatory movement of the slide member, a threaded shaft, an indexing member having operative engagement with the threaded shaft, said indexing member being movable with the carriage, means for effecting relative movement between said threaded shaft and said indexing member for effecting longitudinal movement of the carriage along the threaded shaft, tube-gripping means mounted by the carriage, means for actuating the tube gripping means to tube grippiNg and release positions, means for indicating linear movement of the carriage lengthwise of the shaft including characters associated with the threaded shaft indicating units of linear distance along the shaft, said indexing member having radial openings spaced circumferentially and in lengthwise arranged echelon for indicating subdivisions of the unit distances represented by the characters associated with the threaded shaft dependent upon the relative position of rotation of the indexing member with respect to the threaded shaft, means for effecting rotation of the tube gripping means relative to the carriage for rotating the tube including a protractor member mounted by the carriage and having circumferentially spaced graduations thereon, an arm associated with the tube-gripping means and cooperating with the graduations on said protractor member, means for locking the arm to the protractor member for securing the tubing in a predetermined position of rotation for determining the angularity of a bend to be formed with respect to the angularity of the preceding formed bend in the tube, and means for locking the carriage in an adjusted position relative to the threaded shaft.

Claim 20

The combination according to claim 13 wherein the tube-gripping means mounted by the carriage includes a plate having an opening, a pair of tube-gripping shoes, a shoe actuating member rotatable in the opening, means associated with the actuating member having guide surfaces for slidably accommodating the tube-gripping shoes, and means associated with the shoe actuating member engaging surfaces on said shoes whereby rotation of the shoe actuating member affects slidable movement of the shoes for gripping and releasing the tube.

Claim 21

The combination according to claim 14 including guide rods for the plate, said plate being slidable along said guide rods, and means for adjusting the position of said plate along the guide rods whereby to vary the initial position of the tube-gripping shoes to accommodate tubes of various diameters.

Claim 22

Apparatus for bending a metal tube including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary matrix mounted by the frame means, crankshaft means journally mounted on the slide member and having a ledge portion offset from the axis of the crankshaft means, a tube bending body supported upon said ledge portion and arranged for cooperation with the stationary matrix for impressing a bend in a tube, a relatively stationary clamp means disposed adjacent the matrix, a movable clamp means for cooperation with the stationary clamp means for restraining longitudinal movement of the tube, a first hydraulic actuator for actuating the movable clamp means, a second hydraulic actuator for reciprocating the slide member, a reciprocable bar associated with said slide member, motion translating means for transmitting rotational movement of said crankshaft means to effect rectilinear movement of said bar, an index element adjustable along said bar, a scale bearing graduations for cooperation with said index element for predetermining the angle of bend to be formed in a tube, solenoid operated valve means for controlling flow of fluid to and away from the hydraulic actuators, a control circuit for said valve means, a limit switch for cooperation with said index element activating said solenoid valve means to interrupt fluid flow to the second hydraulic actuator for limiting the extent of a bend being formed in the tube, a hydraulic reaction means resisting rotational movement of the pipe bending body during the formation of a bend, a tube control carriage including a carriage block mounted for longitudinal movement in a direction normal to the reciprocatory movement of the slide member, said block having an opening, a threaded shaft mounted by the frame means extending through the opening in said block, an indexing member rotatably mounted by the block and arranged for engagement with the threaded shaft, said shaft having lengthwise arranged spaced characters indicating linear distances, said indexing member having means for cooperation with the characters on said shaft for indicating subdivisions of the distance between adjacent characters, and tube-gripping means mounted by said tube control carriage.

Claim 23

Apparatus for bending a metal tube including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary matrix mounted by the frame means, crankshaft means journally mounted on the slide member and having a ledge portion offset from the axis of the crankshaft means, a tube bending body supported upon said ledge portion and arranged for cooperation with the stationary matrix for impressing a bend in a tube, a relatively stationary clamp means disposed adjacent the matrix, a movable clamp means for cooperation with the stationary clamp means for restraining longitudinal movement of the tube, a first hydraulic actuator for actuating the movable clamp means, a second hydraulic actuator for reciprocating the slide member, a reciprocable bar associated with said slide member, motion translating means for transmitting rotational movement of said crankshaft means to effect rectilinear movement of said bar, an index element adjustable along said bar, a scale bearing graduations for cooperation with said index element for predetermining the angle of bend to be formed in a tube, solenoid operated valve means for controlling flow of fluid to and away from the hydraulic actuators, a control circuit for said valve means, a limit switch for cooperation with said index element activating said solenoid valve means to interrupt fluid flow to the second hydraulic actuator for limiting the extent of a bend being formed in the tube, a hydraulic reaction means resisting rotational movement of the pipe bending body during the formation of a bend, a tube control carriage including a carriage block mounted for longitudinal movement in a direction normal to the reciprocatory movement of the slide member, said block having an opening, a threaded shaft mounted by the frame means extending through the opening in said block, an indexing member rotatably mounted by the block and arranged for engagement with the threaded shaft, said shaft having lengthwise arranged spaced characters indicating linear distances, said indexing member having means for cooperation with the characters on said shaft for indicating subdivisions of the distance between adjacent characters, and tube-gripping means mounted by said tube control carriage.

Claim 24

The combination according to claim 16 wherein the tube-gripping means includes a plate, rod means secured to the block, said plate being adjustably supported by the rod means, an annular member rotatable in an opening in said plate, tube-gripping jaws slidably mounted by guide surfaces on the annular member, a rotatable manipulating sleeve, pin and slot means connecting the sleeve with said tube-gripping jaws whereby rotation of the sleeve effects relative slidable movement of the jaws for gripping and releasing a tube, a protractor member carried by said plate, an arm secured to the annular member and cooperating with said protractor member for rotating the annular member and the tube-gripping jaws to rotate the tube when the latter is engaged by the tube-gripping jaws, means on said arm cooperating with the protractor member for releasably locking the arm to the protractor member, and means for adjusting the position of said plate along said rods to adapt the tube-gripping jaws for gripping tubes of different diameters.

Claim 25

The combination according to claim 16 wherein the indexing member cooperating with the threaded shaft is provided with peripherally spaced radial openings, said radial openings being arranged in lengthwise echelon relation with respect to the axis of the nut, and an identifying character adjacent each opening for encoding the specifications for forming successive bends in a tube.

Claim 26

The combination according to claim 16 including a stationary way bar disposed in parallelism with the threaded shaft, and releasable locking means engageable with the way bar for locking the carriage in adjusted positions.

Claim 27

Apparatus for bending a metal tube including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary matrix mounted by the frame means, crankshaft means journally mounted on the slide member and having a ledge portion offset from the axis of the crankshaft means, a tube bending body supported upon said ledge portion and arranged for cooperation with the stationary matrix for impressing a bend in a tube, a relatively stationary clamp means disposed adjacent the matrix, a movable clamp means for cooperation with the stationary clamp means for restraining longitudinal movement of the tube, a first hydraulic actuator for actuating the movable clamp means, a second hydraulic actuator for reciprocating the slide member, a reciprocable bar associated with the slide member supporting a toothed rack, a sector-shaped member rotatable with said crankshaft means having teeth enmeshed with the toothed rack to effect rectilinear movement of said bar, an index element adjustable along said bar, a scale bearing graduations for cooperation with said index element for predetermining the angle of bend to be formed in a tube, solenoid operated valve means for controlling flow of fluid to and away from the hydraulic actuators, a control circuit for said valve means, a limit switch for cooperation with said index element for influencing said solenoid valve means to interrupt fluid flow to the second hydraulic actuator for limiting the extent of a bend being formed in the tube, a hydraulic reaction means resisting rotational movement of the pipe bending body during the formation of a bend, a tube control carriage including a carriage block mounted for longitudinal movement in a direction normal to the reciprocatory movement of the slide, said block having an opening, a threaded shaft mounted by the frame means extending through the opening in said block, an indexing member rotatably mounted by the block and arranged for engagement with the threaded shaft, said threaded shaft having lengthwise arrangeD spaced characters indicating linear distances, said rotatable indexing member having means for cooperation with the characters on said shaft for indicating subdivisions of the distance between adjacent characters, rod means secured to the block, a plate adjustably supported by the rod means, an annular member rotatable in an opening in said plate, tube-gripping jaws slidably mounted by parallel guide surfaces on the annular member, a rotatable manipulating sleeve, pin and slot means connecting the sleeve with said jaws whereby rotation of the sleeve effects relative slidable movement of the jaws for gripping and releasing a tube, a protractor member mounted by said plate, an arm secured to the annular member and cooperating with said protractor member for rotating the annular member and the tube-gripping jaws for rotating the tube when the latter is engaged by the tube-gripping jaws, means on said arm cooperating with the protractor member for releasably locking the arm to the protractor member, means for adjusting the position of said plate along said rods to adapt the tube-gripping jaws for gripping tubes of different diameters, and means for locking the tube control carriage in adjusted positions.

Claim 28

Apparatus for bending a metal tube including, in combination, frame means, a slide member mounted for reciprocation relative to the frame means, a stationary matrix mounted by the frame means, crankshaft means journally mounted on the slide member and having a ledge portion offset from the axis of the crankshaft means, a tube bending body supported upon said ledge portion and arranged for cooperation with the stationary matrix for impressing a bend in a tube, a relatively stationary clamp means disposed adjacent the matrix, a movable clamp means for cooperation with the stationary clamp means for restraining longitudinal movement of the tube, a first hydraulic actuator for actuating the movable clamp means, a second hydraulic actuator for reciprocating the slide member, a reciprocable bar associated with the slide member supporting a toothed rack, a sector-shaped member rotatable with said crankshaft means having teeth enmeshed with the toothed rack to effect rectilinear movement of said bar, an index element adjustable along said bar, a scale bearing graduations for cooperation with said index element for predetermining the angle of bend to be formed in a tube, solenoid operated valve means for controlling flow of fluid to and away from the hydraulic actuators, a control circuit for said valve means, a limit switch for cooperation with said index element for influencing said solenoid valve means to interrupt fluid flow to the second hydraulic actuator for limiting the extent of a bend being formed in the tube, a hydraulic reaction means resisting rotational movement of the pipe bending body during the formation of a bend, a tube control carriage including a carriage block mounted for longitudinal movement in a direction normal to the reciprocatory movement of the slide, said block having an opening, a threaded shaft mounted by the frame means extending through the opening in said block, an indexing member rotatably mounted by the block and arranged for engagement with the threaded shaft, said threaded shaft having lengthwise arrangeD spaced characters indicating linear distances, said rotatable indexing member having means for cooperation with the characters on said shaft for indicating subdivisions of the distance between adjacent characters, rod means secured to the block, a plate adjustably supported by the rod means, an annular member rotatable in an opening in said plate, tube-gripping jaws slidably mounted by parallel guide surfaces on the annular member, a rotatable manipulating sleeve, pin and slot means connecting the sleeve with said jaws whereby rotation of the sleeve effects relative slidable movement of the jaws for gripping and releasing a tube, a protractor member mounted by said plate, an arm secured to the annular member and cooperating with said protractor member for rotating the annular member and the tube-gripping jaws for rotating the tube when the latter is engaged by the tube-gripping jaws, means on said arm cooperating with the protractor member for releasably locking the arm to the protractor member, means for adjusting the position of said plate along said rods to adapt the tube-gripping jaws for gripping tubes of different diameters, and means for locking the tube control carriage in adjusted positions.