AU783476B2 - Hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes - Google Patents

Description

-1- P/00/0011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for service in Australia: Invention Title: RIGHTWAY INDUSTRY CO. LTD Hsien-Wei Chou Freehills Carter Smith Beadle 101 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia HYDRAULIC FORMING MACHINE FOR METAL

TUBES

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us HYDRAULIC FORMING MACHINE FOR METAL TUBES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to a hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes, and particularly to a hydraulic forming machine which has a hydraulic actuating rod with holding recession to detachably fix a replaceable working tool for metal tubes in different size being formed in different shapes respectively.

2. Description of Related Art: 15 The prior art of forming machine for metal tubes as shown in Fig. 1 comprises a stationary base frame 1, a screw rod 11, a press head 12, a left clamp half 13, and a right clamp half 14. The stationary base 1 at upper part thereof is a cylindrical part with 20 inner screws 110 engaging with the screw rod 11. The upper end of the screw rod 11 is slidably attached a handle bar 111 and the handle 111 is operated to turn the screw rod 11 such that the screw rod 11 can move upward and downward in the stationary base frame. The lower end of the screw rod 11 is fixed with a press head 12 and a forming tool 121 is inserted in the press head 12. The right clamp half 13 has a plurality of semicircular hole halves 130, 131, 133, and etc.

and, the left clamp half 14 has a plurality of semicircular hole halves 140, 141, 142, and etc.

oppositely corresponding to the semicircular forming holes 130, 131, 133, and etc., respectively. Therefore, forming holes are constituted while the right clamp half 13 is paired with the left clamp 14 such that metal tubes in different sizes can be held by the clamp halves 13, 14.

But, the prior art of forming machine for metal tubes has the following disadvantages: 1. Appropriate right and left clamp halves 13, 0 I0 14 have to be selected at the very first, and then a proper forming tool 121 is mounted in the press head 12. Open the right and the left clamp halves 13, 14 to hold the work piece of metal tube and then move both the clamp halves 13, 14. Turn the handle bar 111 15 to actuate the screw rod 11 moving downward gradually such that the forming tool 121 enters the forming hole constituted by hole halves 130, 140, or 141,,.

for being able to form the metal tube. The whole process of forming a metal tube by way of the prior 20 art is extremely complicated and a great force has to be exerted to the handle bar 111 at the time of the forming tool 121 working to form the metal tube.

Therefore, the prior art not only is inconvenient in operation but also provides a least working efficiency.

2. Because the forming holes are constituted by way of the right clamp half pairing with the left clamp half, it is required to prepare multiple sets of clamp halves for metal tubes in different specifications. It results in an increase of production cost due to preparing multiple sets of 004706904' 3 clamp halves and an inconvenience of tedious work due to replacing the clamp halves frequently.

3. If the prior art of forming machine for metal tubes are used for a pretty big sized metal tube, the entire forming machine have to be made having a huge volume with heavy weight. Hence, it not only is hard to operate and carry but also occupies much more space and affects the schedule of work. This is why the prior art of forming machine is limited to work for smaller metal tubes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes, comprising; a main body with head end, being a hollow casing providing hydraulic loop line therein, having a hydraulic actuated rod being slidably located in the casing, with an outward end having a holding recession therein; a working tool, fitting with the holding recession; i. .q 5 a clamp base with a front end and a rear end, the front end having a receiving end; and o a clamping block, being received in the receiving end for holding one of the metal tubes, and making said metal tube having the same elevation as the working tool; wherein the main body further comprising a hydraulic handle, being attached to the hollow casing at the top thereof to control the •eo movement of the hydraulic actuated rod; and a hydraulic switch button, being located at a lateral side of the hollow casing; 4 whereby, once the hydraulic handle is operated to move downward and upward, the hydraulic actuated rod to move forward and the working tool fitting with the- hydraulic actuated performs a forming work to the metal tube.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes, which has a hydraulic actuated rod carrying a forming tool to squeeze a metal tube in a clamp block instead of a handle bar being exerted to actuate a screw rod moving downward slowly. Therefore, the effectiveness of forming metal tubes is improved substantially.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes in which the hydraulic actuated rod at an front end thereof has a holding recession with fixing piece therein being feasible for replacing different working tools as desired. Therefore, it is possible for a metal tube to be formed into a special shape by multiple working tools.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes in which a clamp ladder hinge, which offers each lock position thereof a sufficient stability and safety.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes in which a clamp base detachably engaging with a threaded part of the machine can be replaced as required and the distance between the clamping block and the hydraulic actuated rod is adjustable. Therefore, it is much flexible and adaptable for forming a metal tube.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes in which a locating groove on the clamp base for the clamping block being located in place in accordance with KMC:TMP:40463328.SPE 2 November 2000 the working tool. Therefore, it is not only convenient in operation and faster in production but also makes an: ideal change in using a forming machine for metal tubes.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes in which the clamping block for a metal tube may be detachably placed in the clamp base separately instead of huge right and left clamp halves. Therefore, it overcomes the problems of being operated and carried resulting from the prior art.

i.:o BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention can be more fully understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional forming machine for metal tubes; oo oo.

.ooo.i KMC:TMP:40463328.SPE 2 November 2000 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a forming machine for metal tubes according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the forming machine shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan sectional view of the forming machine for metal tubes according to the present invention, illustrating the interior viewed from the front thereof; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a hydraulic actuated rod and a working tool in the forming machine for metal tubes according to the present invention; Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of part of the forming machine shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is another sectional view of the forming machine for metal tubes according to the present invention illustrating the interior viewed from top; Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of part of the forming machine shown in Fig. 7; 20 Fig. 9 is another perspective view of the forming machine for metal tubes illustrating different working tools and metal tubes having been worked; Fig. 10 is a plan view of the hydraulic actuated.

rod with working tool in a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a plan view of hydraulic actuated rod with working tool in a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 12 is a plan view of hydraulic actuated rod with working tool in a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 13 is another perspective view of hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes according to the present invention illustrating a second embodiment of clamp base; Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of Fig.

13; Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes according to the present invention illustrating a third embodiment thereof; Fig. 16 is an assembled perspective view of Fig.

Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a front part of the hydraulic actuated rod with the working tool illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 18 is an assembled perspective view of Fig.

.17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Fig. 1 shows a prior art of forming machine for metal tubes and the structure with shortcomings thereof.

has been explained already and no further detail will be described here.

Referring to Fig. 2, a hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes according to the present invention comprises a clamp base 2, a clamping block 3, a working tool 4, and a main body Referring to Fig. 3 and accompanying with Fig. 2, the clamp base 2 at front end thereof has a receiving part 21, and the receiving part 21 has a holding groove 22 disposed at the middle spot thereof. The holding groove 22 receives the clamping block 3, which is composed of an upper block half 31 and a lower block half 32. An axial threaded hole 23 is provided in the clamping block 3 and an upright frame with a horizontal extended cover plate 23 is located at a lateral side of the receiving part 21. A threaded hole is provided at the center of cover plate 23 for being passed through by a threaded fastener 24. The clamp base 2 at another end thereof provides an engage frame 25 and the engage frame 25 the center thereof has a threaded hole 251 for being fastened to the main body The main body is composed of a threaded cylinder 51, a compression spring 52, a hydraulic actuated rod 53, a front cylindrical casing 54, an oil chamber 55, a rear cylindrical casing 55, and a hydraulic handle 57.

The threaded cylinder 51 at the front end thereof engages with the engage frame 25 and at the rear end thereof engages with the front cylindrical casing 54 against the compression spring 52. The compression spring 52 is disposed around the hydraulic actuated rod.

53 and the hydraulic actuated rod 53 passes through the threaded cylinder 51 with a holding recession 531 at the front end thereof. A tight fixing device 532 is provided in the holding groove 531. The tight fixing device 532 composed of a spring 533 received in an deep groove extending inward at the front end of the hydraulic actuated rod 53, and a steel ball 534 at the outer end of the spring 533. The steel ball 534 is disposed to expose outward partly on the spring 533 (as Figs. 4 and 5 shown) to press against a cavity 40 at the rear end of the working tool 4 while the working tool 4 fits with the holding recession 531.

The hydraulic actuated rod 53 at the rear end thereof attaches buffer components 235 and is received in the front cylindrical casing 54. The front cylindrical casing 54 at the interior thereof is receiving room, at a spot on the lateral side thereof has an oil line regulator 541, and at the top thereof has a press stem 542, oil seal parts 543, and a hydraulic handle 57. The hydraulic handle 57 at the front end thereof is fixedly attached to the front casing 54 by way of fixing components 546, and at the movable end is pivotally attached to the press stem 542 S"to control the movement of the press stem 542 upward S"and downward. The receiving room of the front casing 54 .at both ends thereof provided with a respective oil ~20 line component 547, 548. The oil line components 548 communicates with the oil chamber 55 and the oil chamber 55 is received in the rear cylindrical casing 56. A rear cap 58 blocks the rear end of the rear cylindrical casing 56.

Referring to Figs. 6, 7, and 8, it can be seen the hydraulic loop line in the main body 5 separates the oil line parts 547, 548 after the press stem 542 is pressed toward the main body 5. The oil regulator 541 actually comprises a switch button 541a to open and close the oil line. When the switch button 541a is switched to block the oil line parts 547 of returning oil line, the hydraulic handle 57 is actuated to push and pull the press stem 542. In this way, the oil in the oil chamber 55 is pushed to flow into a space p at the rear end of the hydraulic actuated rod 53 from the oil line parts 548 of the incoming oil line gradually.

Thus, the hydraulic actuated rod 53 may move forward to allow the working tool 4 in front of the hydraulic actuated rod 53 squeezing the metal tube held by the clamping block 3 and the metal tube is squeezed to for1 a desired shape. When the switch button 541a is switched to open the oil line parts 547 of returning oil line, the oil can flow back to the oil chamber via the returning oil line. Thus, the hydraulic actuated rod 53 is retracted backward. In the meantime, the relief valve 59 may release higher pressure in case of the pressure in the oil chamber 55 is extremely high and exceeds the limit pressure of the relief valve 59 to prevent other parts such as the unidirectional valve 20 and the main body from damage.

Referring to Fig. 9, when the hydraulic forming machine is in use, the metal tube 6 is placed in the clamping block 3 first. Then, the clamping block 3 is.

located at the holding groove 22 of the clamp base 2 to be fixed in place by the fasteners 24. The working tool 4 is mounted in the holding recession 531 at the front end of the hydraulic actuated rod 53. The hydraulic switch button 541a is switched to a state of forwarding the oil and the hydraulic handle 57 is operated to move downward and upward manually so as to push the hydraulic actuated rod 53 moving forward. Thus, the working tool 4 in front of the hydraulic actuated rod 53 gradually presses the metal tube 6 held by the clamping block 3.

Referring to Fig. 9 again, there are various working tools 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and etc. can be used and different formed metal tubes 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and etc.

can be obtained accordingly.

Referring to Fig. 10, the holding recession 531 at the front end of the hydraulic actuated rod can be provided with a magnetic piece 531a at the rear side thereof and the working tool 4 at the rear end thereof is changed to a flat end 41. This is another way of the working tool 4 fitting with the holding recession 531.

Referring to Fig. 11, the holding recession 531 at the front end of the hydraulic actuated rod can be oeeeo enclosed with a O"0" ring 531b and the working tool 4 at oeeeI the rear end thereof is provided with a ring groove 42 for fixing with the holding recession 531.

Referring to Fig. 12, the working tool 4 may be an elbow type of working tool 43 and the elbow working tool 43 at the rear end thereof and both lateral sides of the rear end are provided with a flat side 43a, 43b.

respectively. In this way, the elbow type of working tool 43 can fit with the holding recession 531 firmly without any angular movement.

Furthermore, the clamp base 2 in the hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes according to the present invention has many variations and modifications and some examples will be explained hereinafter.

Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, the clamp base 2 at the front end thereof provides a transverse grove 71 and a horizontal bar 72 engages with the transverse groove 71 by way of a screw 711. The horizontal bar 72 at both ends, top, and bottom thereof respectively engages a fixing piece 73, 74. The respective fixing piece 73, 74 at the front and the rear sides thereof is a concave inward arc side 731, 741 respectively. The holding recession 531 at the front end of the hydraulic actuated rod 53 may engage with a press plate 81 with **Poe: semicircular edge to squeeze the metal tube 6 into an bent tube 82.

Referring to Figs. 15 and 16, a conical working tool 44 is illustrated to associate with a dual expansion adapter set composed of a front expansion adapter 91 and a rear tube adapter 92. Thus, the metal eeeoe tube 6 can be squeezed to form a tube section of dual mouth sizes 83.

Referring to Figs. 17 and 18, the hydraulic 20 actuated rod 53 at the front end thereof is provided with a horizontal holding recession 94 and the working tool 43 at the rear end thereof is provided with a horizontal engaging seat 95. In this way, the engaging seat 95 can be passed through the horizontal holding recession 94 and then turned a 90' to form a state of locking.

It is appreciated that the hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes of the present invention not only overcomes the deficiencies existing in the prior art but also offers better function in practice.

Moreover, it can be understood that the present invention has not been disclosed and used publicly.

While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that more modifications and variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. A hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes, comprising: a main body with head end, being a hollow casing providing hydraulic loop line therein, having a hydraulic actuated rod being slidably located in the casing with an outward end having a holding recession therein; a working tool, fitting with the holding recession; a clamping base with a front end and a rear end, the front end being a receiving end; and a clamping block, being received in the receiving end for holding one of the metal tubes, and making said metal tube have the same elevation as the working tool; wherein the main body further comprising a hydraulic handle, being attached to the hollow casing at the top thereof to control the S movement of the hydraulic actuated rod; and i. a hydraulic switch button, being located at a lateral side of the hollow casing; 15 whereby, once the hydraulic handle is operated to move downward and upward, the hydraulic actuated rod to move forward and the working tool fitting with the hydraulic actuated performs a forming work to the metal tube.

2. The hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes as defined in claim 1, wherein the receiving end on the clamp base is provided with fasteners for fixing the clamping block. 0

3. The hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body further comprises a front cylindrical casing with two ends, one of said two ends engaging with a threaded cylinder, having a receiving room, receiving the rear end of the hydraulic actuated rod, -004706904 14 providing an oil regulator at a lateral edge thereof, a press stem and oil parts at the top thereof, pivotally fixing with the front end of the hydraulic handle by way of fixing piece, said press stem being attached to the other end of the hydraulic handle so as to be controlled moving upward and downward by the hydraulic handle, said receiving room at front end and rear end thereof having an oil line component respectively; an oil chamber, communicating the oil line component at the rear end of the receiving room; a rear cylindrical casing with two ends, enclosing the oil chamber, one of said two ends connecting the other end of the front cylindrical casing, the other end of said two ends being blocked by a cap; and a compression spring with an end, being disposed around the hydraulic actuated rod, said end being pressed by the threaded cylinder.

4. The hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding recession on the hydraulic actuated rod has a tight fixing device therein and the tight fixing device has a spring received in a straight deep groove in the holding recession and a steel ball fitting with an outer end of the :o spring such that a recession at the rear end of the working tool engages with the steel ball to fit with the holding recession.

5. The hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a magnetic block may be mounted in the holding recession at a rear end thereof.

6. The hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring may enclose the holding recession and an rear end of the working tool may be a ring groove to engage with each other.

7. The hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the working tool may be an elbow type of working tool and both lateral sides thereof have a flat side respectively. -004706904

8. The hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front end of the clamp base may be a transverse grove and a horizontal bar engages with the transverse groove by way of a screw, the horizontal bar at both ends, top, and bottom thereof respectively engages a fixing piece; the respective fixing piece at the front and the rear sides thereof is a concave inward arc side respectively; the holding recession at the front end of the hydraulic actuated rod may engage with a press plate with semicircular edge for squeezing the metal tube into a bent tube.

9. The hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the working tool may be a conical working tool to associate with a dual expansion adapter set composed of a front expansion adapter and a rear tube adapter for forming the metal tube having dual mouth sizes.

The hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes as defined in any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein a relief valve is provided beside an oil line switch to release the pressure in an oil chamber once the pressure exceeds a limit pressure for avoiding damage of unidirectional valves in the oil line and the main body.

11. The hydraulic forming machine for metal tubes as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydraulic actuated rod at the front end thereof is provided with a horizontal holding recession and the working tool is provided with a horizontal engaging seat to be passed through by the horizontal holding recession and then turned a 900 to form a state of locking.

12. A hydraulic forming machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 0 Dated 6 September 2005 Freehills Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: Rightway Industry Co Ltd