US3890079A — Automatic machine for bending and flaring quantit…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 606 words

A machine for automatically and sequentially forming quantities of straight pre-heated softened thermal plastic round pipe of uniform predetermined dimensions into elbows having an integral expanded coupling at each end thereof comprising means forming a frame including a substantially horizontal top, a fixed forming die member secured to said top and having a convex arcuate end surface of predetermined curvature, said end surface having a uniform recessed convex arcuate groove of predetermined axial length and a semi-circular cross section with the radius thereof substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the outside diameter of the pipe being formed and each opposite end oF said arcuate groove terminating in a coaxial semi-cylindrical cavity of predetermined length and having a second cross sectional radius substantially equal to the radius of the outside diameter of the pipe plus the double thickness of the wall of the pipe, a movable forming die member having a concave end in close mating contact with said convex end of said fixed die member and a concave second groove therein mating said convex groove in said fixed die member and a like semi-cylindrical cavity at opposite ends of said second groove mating each said semicylindrical cavity in said fixed die member when said movable die member is in closed mating contact with said fixed die member, said movable die member secured to said top by slidable means for movement from closed contact with said fixed die member to a predetermined idle position a spaced distance therefrom by connection to the piston rod of a dual direction first power cylinder means for moving said movable die member from said idle to said mating contact with said fixed die member and vice versa when energized from opposite ends, a pair of dual direction mandrel power cylinder means secured to said top with the axis of each piston rod thereof positioned in spaced coaxial relation to each axis of each opposite semicylindrical cavity in said fixed die member with the end of each said rod spaced a predetermined distance from opposite sides of said fixed die member, a cylindrical forming mandrel means secured coaxial to the end of each said piston rod of said mandrel cylinder means with a coaxial tapered outer end portion terminating in a second pilot cylinder having a chamfered end for entry into the inside diameter of said pipe when each said mandrel means is moved by each said cylinder when energized into each opposite said cylindrical cavity formed by the said semi-cylindrical cavities when said movable die member is in closed position, a coaxial bore of predetermined distance in the end of each said mandrel means with a connection to a flexible conduit for sequentially conducting pressurized air for reducing deformations in said elbow and followed by conducting pressurized cooling water in the rear portion thereof for partial rigidizing of the formed elbow prior to the reverse energizing of each said mandrel cylinder means, a pipe arresting ledge having a substantially horizontal planar upper surface of predetermined width extending outward a predetermined distance from said concave end of said movable die member with said upper surface movable in a plane in close proximity with the lower edge of said groove in said fixed die member adapted for forward movement by said movable die member to arrest each descending pre-heated pipe of predetermined length in the space between the said mating ends of said fixed die member and said movable die member when the latter is spaced from the former for the movement of said pipe into its elbow form when said movable die member is moved to its said closed position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 606 words

A machine for automatically and sequentially forming quantities of straight pre-heated softened thermal plastic round pipe of uniform predetermined dimensions into elbows having an integral expanded coupling at each end thereof comprising means forming a frame including a substantially horizontal top, a fixed forming die member secured to said top and having a convex arcuate end surface of predetermined curvature, said end surface having a uniform recessed convex arcuate groove of predetermined axial length and a semi-circular cross section with the radius thereof substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the outside diameter of the pipe being formed and each opposite end oF said arcuate groove terminating in a coaxial semi-cylindrical cavity of predetermined length and having a second cross sectional radius substantially equal to the radius of the outside diameter of the pipe plus the double thickness of the wall of the pipe, a movable forming die member having a concave end in close mating contact with said convex end of said fixed die member and a concave second groove therein mating said convex groove in said fixed die member and a like semi-cylindrical cavity at opposite ends of said second groove mating each said semicylindrical cavity in said fixed die member when said movable die member is in closed mating contact with said fixed die member, said movable die member secured to said top by slidable means for movement from closed contact with said fixed die member to a predetermined idle position a spaced distance therefrom by connection to the piston rod of a dual direction first power cylinder means for moving said movable die member from said idle to said mating contact with said fixed die member and vice versa when energized from opposite ends, a pair of dual direction mandrel power cylinder means secured to said top with the axis of each piston rod thereof positioned in spaced coaxial relation to each axis of each opposite semicylindrical cavity in said fixed die member with the end of each said rod spaced a predetermined distance from opposite sides of said fixed die member, a cylindrical forming mandrel means secured coaxial to the end of each said piston rod of said mandrel cylinder means with a coaxial tapered outer end portion terminating in a second pilot cylinder having a chamfered end for entry into the inside diameter of said pipe when each said mandrel means is moved by each said cylinder when energized into each opposite said cylindrical cavity formed by the said semi-cylindrical cavities when said movable die member is in closed position, a coaxial bore of predetermined distance in the end of each said mandrel means with a connection to a flexible conduit for sequentially conducting pressurized air for reducing deformations in said elbow and followed by conducting pressurized cooling water in the rear portion thereof for partial rigidizing of the formed elbow prior to the reverse energizing of each said mandrel cylinder means, a pipe arresting ledge having a substantially horizontal planar upper surface of predetermined width extending outward a predetermined distance from said concave end of said movable die member with said upper surface movable in a plane in close proximity with the lower edge of said groove in said fixed die member adapted for forward movement by said movable die member to arrest each descending pre-heated pipe of predetermined length in the space between the said mating ends of said fixed die member and said movable die member when the latter is spaced from the former for the movement of said pipe into its elbow form when said movable die member is moved to its said closed position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 210 words

The construction recited in claim 1, wherein a power driven conveyor means is secured to said frame with a hopper at one end thereof for receiving quantities of the pipe of predetermined length in parallel relation, a conveyor means sloping downward from said hopper in proximity to said pipe arresting ledge, an endless link type conveyor means journalled at opposite ends thereof and driven at a predetermined speed by a motor means when the latter is energized for guiding the pipes toward said arresting ledges, the lower end of said conveyor means having a tripping means for simultaneously releasing the lowermost pipe on said conveyor means to descend by gravity and to prevent the downward movement of other pipes on said conveyor means, said tripping means operated by the forward movement of said movable die member when moved from its said idle position toward said fixed die member, an electric heating means secured under said conveyor means in close relation tO the pipes thereon for uniformly heating and softening the pipes as each pipe is rolled downward toward the said tripping means when said heating means is energized, an electric motor adapted to rotate the moving conveyor means for successively feeding the pipes into said die member for sequential forming.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 54 words

The construction recited in claim 1 including a spring motivated ejection means positioned within said groove in said fixed die member for automatically ejecting each of said elbows formed therein when said movable die member is moved by said first cylinder means from its said closed to its said idle position when reverse energized.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 75 words

The construction recited in claim 1 including a clearance aperture of transverse dimensions through said top beneath and forward from the convex end of said fixed die member for permitting each of said elbows ejected from said fixed die member to gravitate downward through said aperture including an open top cooling tank positioned under said aperture for retaining cooling water for each of said elbows to receive final cooling and obtain normal rigidity upon submersion.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 39 words

The construction recited in claim 4 wherein said tank includes a motor driven belt type second conveyor for removing each of said elbows from said tank and carrying same to a predetermined drying are when said motor is energized.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 482 words

In a machine of the character described for sequentially forming like straight lengths of plastic pipe into elbows having an enlarged integral coupling formed at opposite ends thereof comprising a fixed die member and a movable die member having contours therein for forming each said pipe into an elbow with an enlarged cylindrical opening of predetermined length at each end thereof for the subsequent forming of an enlarged coupling at each end of said pipe while said movable die member is in its closed mating position with said fixed die member, a dual operated cylinder for moving said movable die member from a closed position to a spaced idle position when said dual cylinder is reverse operated for forming a subsequent pipe into an elbow, a cylinder operated first and a cylinder operated second like mandrel positioned for reciprocation at each opposite end of said pipe for movement into the opening of each end for forward and reverse operation of each of said cylinders for forming an enlarged coupling at each end of said elbow when said movable die member is in said closed position and retaining said formed elbow, a source of compressed air including a switch for energizing same, a driven endless link type conveyor means and an electric heater therefor energized by a second switch for conducting and heating to a predetermined softness prior to sequential release to said die members, a second conveyor means in a water filled cooling tank energized by a third switch for removing finished cooled elbows deposited therein following forming by said die members and said mandrels, an electric motor operated mechanical-electric timer means for operating an air valve means for moving said movable die member from an idle to a closed position and vice versa when operated by a said master electric switch and subsequently operating a pair of first valves for moving said mandrels into the ends of the elbow formed pipe for forming an enlarged coupling at each end opening thereof while the pipe is retained within said die members, said timer also connected to operate a pair of valves for projecting the compressed air through a bore in each said mandrel for removing deformations formed in the pipe, said timer being connected to operate a pair of water valves with one of said valves connected to a source of compressed water and adapted to inject compressed water through one of said mandrels and into said pipe and out of the opposite mandrel and an open valve to waste for the partial cooling of said elbow and said timer connected to reverse energize both mandrel cylinders and extract said mandrels froM said formed couplings and also to energize the reverse action of said movable die cylinder for moving said movable die member into its said idle position and permitting the formed elbow to descend from the machine into said cooling tank.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 482 words

In a machine of the character described for sequentially forming like straight lengths of plastic pipe into elbows having an enlarged integral coupling formed at opposite ends thereof comprising a fixed die member and a movable die member having contours therein for forming each said pipe into an elbow with an enlarged cylindrical opening of predetermined length at each end thereof for the subsequent forming of an enlarged coupling at each end of said pipe while said movable die member is in its closed mating position with said fixed die member, a dual operated cylinder for moving said movable die member from a closed position to a spaced idle position when said dual cylinder is reverse operated for forming a subsequent pipe into an elbow, a cylinder operated first and a cylinder operated second like mandrel positioned for reciprocation at each opposite end of said pipe for movement into the opening of each end for forward and reverse operation of each of said cylinders for forming an enlarged coupling at each end of said elbow when said movable die member is in said closed position and retaining said formed elbow, a source of compressed air including a switch for energizing same, a driven endless link type conveyor means and an electric heater therefor energized by a second switch for conducting and heating to a predetermined softness prior to sequential release to said die members, a second conveyor means in a water filled cooling tank energized by a third switch for removing finished cooled elbows deposited therein following forming by said die members and said mandrels, an electric motor operated mechanical-electric timer means for operating an air valve means for moving said movable die member from an idle to a closed position and vice versa when operated by a said master electric switch and subsequently operating a pair of first valves for moving said mandrels into the ends of the elbow formed pipe for forming an enlarged coupling at each end opening thereof while the pipe is retained within said die members, said timer also connected to operate a pair of valves for projecting the compressed air through a bore in each said mandrel for removing deformations formed in the pipe, said timer being connected to operate a pair of water valves with one of said valves connected to a source of compressed water and adapted to inject compressed water through one of said mandrels and into said pipe and out of the opposite mandrel and an open valve to waste for the partial cooling of said elbow and said timer connected to reverse energize both mandrel cylinders and extract said mandrels froM said formed couplings and also to energize the reverse action of said movable die cylinder for moving said movable die member into its said idle position and permitting the formed elbow to descend from the machine into said cooling tank.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-06-16	1978-12-16	1979-06-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-06-16	1982-12-16	1983-06-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-06-16	1986-12-16	1987-06-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Automatic machine for bending and flaring quantities of plastic pipe

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