Material support apparatus for a press brake system

Claim 1

For use with a press brake or bending press of the type having an upper stationary die cooperating with a lower vertically movable die to bend a workpiece positioned therebetween, a workpiece support apparatus comprising in combination: a base fixed in relation to the press brake or bending press; a frame supported on and movable vertically in relation to said base; a table carried on and pivotally movable relative to said frame, said table being positioned to support a workpiece having a portion thereof located between the upper and lower dies; first operating means for imparting vertical motion to said frame; second operating means for imparting pivotal motion to said table; first control means responsive to vertical movement of the lower die, said first control means being associated with said first operating means and being operative in conjunction therewith to move said frame vertically in unison with the lower die; and second control means responsive to pivotal movement of a workpiece supported on said table during a bending operation, said second control means being associated with said second operating means and being operative in conjunction therewith to pivotally move said table in unison with the workpiece supported thereon.