US3710609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube shaping device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-30
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1990-12-30
Abstract
Abstract Two longitudinal tube forming members are dimensioned to fit within the interior of a hollow tube and to impress a predetermined cross-sectional shape on the tube when they are pressed against opposing interior surfaces thereof. The tube forming members are joined together in substantially parallel relationship by a symmetrical toggle mechanism which varies the spacing between the tube forming members in response to the movements of a hydraulic ram. The hydraulic ram is mounted in the middle of the toggle mechanism so as to apply longitudinally balanced forces to the toggle mechanism and thereby to equalize the distribution of forces in the structure when the tube forming members are pressed against opposing interior surfaces of the tube. The upper tube forming member is rigidly attached at one end to a supporting column and the lower tube forming member is slidably attached at one end to the supporting column so that it can be raised and lowered by the toggle mechanism to vary the spacing between the two tube forming members.
Inventors
- 👤 C Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:06
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21C; B21C37/00; B21C37/06; B21C37/15; B21C37/155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A tube shaping device for applying expansive forces to the interior of a hollow tube of semi-rigid material to change the cross-sectional shape of said tube, said tube shaping device comprising two longitudinal tube forming members which are dimensioned to fit within said tube and to bear against opposing interior surfaces thereof, at least two force translating mechanisms coupling said tube forming members together in substantially parallel relationship, said force translating mechanisms being operable to translate a force which is directed parallel to said tube forming members into a force which is directed perpendicular thereto, one of said tube forming members being rigidly attached to a vertical supporting column and the other tube forming member is connected to said first mentioned tube forming member by means of said force translating mechanisms, and force generating means mounted between said force translating mechanisms for applying equal and opposite forces thereto for forcing said longitudinal tube forming members against opposing interior surfaces of said tube to change its cross-sectional shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A tube shaping device for applying expansive forces to the interior of a hollow tube of semi-rigid material to change the cross-sectional shape of said tube, said tube shaping device comprising two longitudinal tube forming members which are dimensioned to fit within said tube and to bear against opposing interior surfaces thereof, at least two force translating mechanisms coupling said tube forming members together in substantially parallel relationship, said force translating mechanisms being operable to translate a force which is directed parallel to said tube forming members into a force which is directed perpendicular thereto, one of said tube forming members being rigidly attached to a vertical supporting column and the other tube forming member is connected to said first mentioned tube forming member by means of said force translating mechanisms, and force generating means mounted between said force translating mechanisms for applying equal and opposite forces thereto for forcing said longitudinal tube forming members against opposing interior surfaces of said tube to change its cross-sectional shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tube shaping device as defined in claim 1 wherein said force translating mechanisms are symmetrically disposed with respect to said force generating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tube shaping device as defined in claim 2 wherein said force translating mechanisms comprise toggle mechanisms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A tube shaping device as defined in claim 3 wherein said force generating means comprises a hydraulic ram having a piston which is slidably mounted within a cylinder, said piston being coupled to one of said toggle mechanisms and said cylinder being coupled to the other toggle mechanism, and means for applying hydraulic fluid under pressure to said cylinder to cause relative movement between said piston and said cylinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A tube shaping device as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the tube forming members is rigidly attached at one end to a vertical supporting column and the other tube forming member is suspended from the first mentioned longitudinal tube forming member by means of the force translating mechanisms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A tube shaping device as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said toggle mechanisms comprises an upper toggle arm which is pivotally connected at one end to one of said longitudinal tube forming members, a lower toggle arm which is pivotally connected at one end to the other longitudinal tube forming member, and means pivotally connecting the other ends Of the upper and lower toggle arms together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tube shaping device as defined in claim 6 wherein said means pivotally connecting the other ends of said upper and lower toggle arms together is pivotally connected to said hydraulic ram.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A tube shaping device as defined in claim 7 wherein the upper and lower arms of said toggle mechanisms extend at an acute angle to each other, the apex of each acute angle being directed toward said hydraulic ram.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A tube shaping device as defined in claim 8 wherein the piston of said hydraulic ram is coupled to the apex of the acute angle formed by the arms of one of said toggle mechanisms and the cylinder of said hydraulic ram is coupled to the apex of the acute angle formed by the arms of the other of said toggle mechanisms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tube shaping device as defined in claim 9 and further comprising additional toggle mechanisms coupled between said longitudinal tube forming members, said additional toggle mechanisms being symmetrically disposed with respect to said hydraulic ram.
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) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |