EP1993754B1 - Device and method for widening metal elements - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for expanding elongated, moving in the longitudinal direction, at least partially flat metal elements. In particular, with the device according to the invention and the method flat metal elements, as described in the German patent application 102 59 307.8 described are widened.

The flat metal elements described in this prepublished German patent application are used, for example, for the production of profile elements, in particular of upright or plaster profiles. In this case, the metal elements have incisions in their central region which are shaped in such a way that when the metal elements are pulled apart between the incisions, metal regions present are folded over so that the metal element is ultimately widened. By this folding process thus wider metal elements can be produced with reduced material consumption. The pattern required for the folding process can be of various kinds. A variety of such different patterns are in the German patent application 102 59 307.8 described and in particular in the Fig. 1-22 represented this application. For a better understanding of the present application, the disclosure of the German patent application 102 59 307.8 , in particular with regard to the specifically described and illustrated patterns, explicitly included in the content of the present application. For the purposes of the present invention, the metal elements are at least in the region of the pattern formed flat. In other areas, for example, in the area of the longitudinal sides of the metal elements, the metal elements may also differ from the flat shape. In particular, thickenings, projections or bent regions can be formed on the longitudinal sides. For example, the metal elements may already be preformed as U-shaped or C-shaped profiles.

However, it is problematic to carry out the expansion of such elongated, at least partially flat metal elements with economically justifiable effort and thus to achieve an economically viable production of the profile elements. Since the cost of such profile elements are mainly determined by the cost of materials, a broadening of the metal element with reduced material requirements is indeed desirable, but the gains achieved by the material savings must not be used up by increased costs in the production of the profile elements. An economically worthwhile production is all the more difficult, since corresponding profile elements represent a mass-produced article of which thousands of kilometers are produced annually and which is manufactured at very high speed (for example 100 to 150 m / min). A device for expanding corresponding flat metal elements must therefore be able to ensure a correspondingly high throughput while maintaining high reliability.

From the US-A-2 191 433 are known a device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method having the features of the preamble of claim 17. In order to enable a pulling apart of the metal element, V-shaped grooves must be impressed in a Vorbearbeitungsschritt in the longitudinal sides of the metal element, which are used as attack elements for corresponding complementary trained holding sections.

In the US-A-698,448 In a similar manner, attack elements in the form of deep shapes are formed on the longitudinal sides of a metal element in a pre-processing step, which are engaged behind by corresponding holding elements in a later step when the metal element is pulled apart.

In the DE-A-41 43 035 For example, an apparatus and method are described that are explicitly used to process very thin sheet-like material. This material is not suitable for producing profile elements.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus and a method for expanding elongate, longitudinally moving, at least partially planar, suitable for forming profile elements metal elements that ensure a high throughput while maintaining a simple and reliable structure. In particular, the device or the method should be used in continuous operation.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. The method according to the invention comprises the features of claim 17.

The opposing clamping portions thus form between them an expansion area for the metal element, in which the distance between the opposing clamping portions increases. In the widening area, the widening of the metal element takes place Increasing the lateral distance between the opposing clamping portions, which each pull apart the opposite longitudinal sides of the metal element.

The device according to the invention is very robust due to its simple structure and thus suitable for high throughput. Furthermore, it is achieved by the clamping sections that the widening of the moving metal element can take place in continuous operation, so that the required throughput is ensured. In principle, however, it is also possible for the widening to occur in intermittent operation, for example also in a follow-on composite tool. For the purposes of the present application, it is thus not absolutely necessary for the metal element to move forward simultaneously with the widening. For example, the forward movement of the metal element in the intermittent operation comprises repetitive stoppage phases in which the expansion can take place. For the purposes of the present application, the widening during a standstill phase during intermittent operation is therefore also to be understood as widening during the forward movement, since the individual standstill phases also represent parts of the entire forward movement of the metal element. With a correspondingly short length of the metal element, this can also be applied simultaneously over its entire length, i. in board production, to be expanded. The forward movement in this case comprises the feeding, the stoppage phase during which the metal element is widened, and the removal of the metal element.

Through the use of clamping sections, a pre-processing of the longitudinal sides of the metal element is not required. The longitudinal sides of the metal element need not have folds or other attack elements, in the example, pulling elements for pulling apart the Intervene metal element. By clamping in accordance with the invention the longitudinal sides of the metal element, the longitudinal sides can be made completely smooth, whereby the possible applications of the expanded metal elements are very wide and expensive and associated with additional costs pretreatments of the metal element can be omitted for generating attack points. The clamping portions may be formed so that already a free longitudinal strip of 0.5 to 5mm (for example, about 1, 1.5, 2 or 3mm) on both longitudinal sides of the metal element is sufficient to clamp each of these in the clamping portions and the metal element apart to draw.

According to the invention, the clamping portions each comprise a contact area and a clamping area, wherein the longitudinal sides of the metal element between the contact area and the clamping area can be clamped. The clamping area can advantageously be formed by an eccentric. The formation of the clamping area by an eccentric makes the entire device very robust and easy at the same time, since the eccentric can be mounted on a bearing portion of the clamping portion, that automatically increases the clamping force generated by the eccentric in the movement apart of the clamping portions. The higher the force acting on the metal element when moving apart, the more firmly the metal element is clamped in the clamping section.

In principle, it is also possible that the clamping area can be prestressed by spring bias against the contact area. It can be used any suitable type of springs, such as coil springs, gas springs or other springs. Also, a hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, magnetic or other mechanical bias of the clamping area against the investment area and another suitable preload are conceivable in principle. Such a bias is also useful in conjunction with an eccentric design of the clamping area when the eccentric by the bias, for example, when detecting the metal element does not yet develop the full clamping force. Due to the bias of the eccentric can be automatically brought so far in the clamping position that ultimately the holding of the metal element is achieved solely due to the clamping force.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping portions each comprise a plurality of clamping elements. By dividing the clamping portions in a plurality of clamping elements, the course of the expansion of the metal element can be adjusted in a simple manner.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a control section, in particular in the form of a slotted guide, is provided, with which the clamping elements are automatically brought from a release position into a clamping position when moving the metal element. In a similar manner, a further control section may be provided with which the clamping elements are automatically brought back from the clamping position to the release position after expansion of the metal element during further movement of the metal element. After release of the metal element, the clamping elements can remain in their release position or brought back into the clamping position, but without clamped metal element. Only just before the clamping elements come into contact again with the metal element, it must be ensured that the clamping elements are in the release position. It can be reached again by appropriate control sections.

In particular, the control sections designed to move the clamping elements into the clamping position can be designed to be movable so that different positions of the clamping elements, which are generated, for example, by different thicknesses of the metal element or by differential penetration of the metal elements into the clamping elements, can be compensated. The control sections may be mounted, for example, hydraulically or movable against a spring force.

Preferably, the carrier unit is in each case designed as a revolving carrier unit, in particular as an endless, circulating carrier unit. The design of the carrier unit as a peripheral carrier unit ensures that a metal element of any length can be widened with the device according to the invention.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least two circumferential support units are arranged on each longitudinal side of the metal element, wherein each longitudinal side of the metal element is clamped in each case between at least two support units. In the case of a horizontally arranged metal element, it is thus possible for each longitudinal side of the metal element to be clamped, for example, between a carrier unit arranged above and below the metal element. In this case, the clamping sections can thus preferably be formed integrally with the carrier unit. In principle, however, a separate design of the clamping sections is possible.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one circumferential carrier unit is arranged on each longitudinal side of the metal element, wherein each longitudinal side of the metal element in each case in the provided on the rotating carrier units clamping portions is trapped. In this case, the longitudinal sides of the metal element are thus not clamped between two different carrier units, but each longitudinal side is clamped in each case in clamping sections, which are arranged, for example, laterally of the metal elements along the longitudinal sides running on carrier units.

Preferably, the carrier units are designed as caterpillar conveyors. This can for example be designed as a caterpillar track. Basically, a training as a band, as a belt or other suitable in particular for clamping peripheral carrier unit is conceivable.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, an inlet region for the metal element is provided, in which the opposing clamping sections have a constant distance from each other substantially, wherein adjoining the inlet region an expansion region, in which the distance between the opposing clamping portions increases. Due to the constant spacing of the clamping sections in the inlet region, it is ensured that the metal element can first be securely gripped by the clamping sections without any other forces, in particular in the lateral expansion direction, acting on the metal element. Only after the metal element has been securely gripped by the clamping sections after passing through the lead-in area does the widening of the metal element take place by increasing the lateral distance between the opposite clamping sections, which pull apart the opposite longitudinal sides of the metal element. Preferably, the distance of the opposing clamping portions in the expansion region increases substantially continuously, so that a continuous stress of the metal element is ensured, which leads to a uniform expansion of the metal element.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier units are designed as mutually inclined, rotating disks, tires or wheels. The clamping sections can in each case in the outer edge region of the rotating discs; Tire or wheels are formed. In particular, in this embodiment, the abutment portions of the clamping portions may be formed by the peripheral surfaces of the rotating disks, tires or wheels.

In this embodiment, the expansion of the metal element by the angular position of the rotating disks, tires or wheels by the metal element is clamped in the region of the inclined edge portions of the support units by the clamping portions, is pulled apart by the diverging peripheral surfaces of the rotating support units and of the Clamping sections is released again before the maximum distance between the mutually inclined rotating carrier units is exceeded.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Fig. 1

einen Teil eines flächigen Metallelements mit Schnittmuster,

Fig. 2

weitere zum Aufweiten von Metallelementen geeignete Schnittmuster,

Fig. 3 bis 5

drei unterschiedliche Zustände beim Aufweiten eines Metallelements mit dem Schnittmuster nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 6

ein mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung hergestelltes Kantenschutzprofil,

Fig. 7

mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung hergestellte U- oder C-förmige Ständerprofile,

Fig. 8

eine Draufsicht auf eine erste Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 9

eine Detailansicht der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 8 von vorne gesehen,

Fig. 10

eine Detailansicht aus Fig. 9,

Fig. 11

eine Draufsicht auf eine zweite Ausführungsform nach der Erfindung,

Fig. 12

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 11,

Fig. 13

eine Vorderansicht einer weiteren erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Vorrichtung,

Fig. 14

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 13,

Fig. 15

ein Klemmelement aus der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 13,

Fig. 16

das Klemmelement nach Fig. 15 in der Freigabestellung,

Fig. 17

eine weitere detaillierte Darstellung eines Klemmelements,

Fig. 18

eine Schnittdarstellung durch das Klemmelement nach Fig. 17,

Fig. 19

eine Abwandlung der in den Fig. 13 und 14 gezeigten Ausführungsform der Erfindung

Fig. 20

einen Teil eines weiteren flächigen Metallelements mit Schnittmuster,

Fig. 21

das Metallelement nach Fig. 20 nach dem Aufweiten,

Fig. 22

eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung,

Fig. 23

eine schematisch Detailansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung und

Fig. 24

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Klemmelements.

The invention will be described in more detail below by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings; in these show:

Fig. 1

a part of a sheet metal element with pattern,

Fig. 2

further cutting patterns suitable for expanding metal elements,

Fig. 3 to 5

three different states when expanding a metal element with the pattern after Fig. 1 .

Fig. 6

an edge protection profile produced with a device according to the invention,

Fig. 7

U or C-shaped upright profiles produced with a device according to the invention,

Fig. 8

a top view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 9

a detailed view of the device according to Fig. 8 seen from the front,

Fig. 10

a detailed view Fig. 9 .

Fig. 11

a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 12

a side view of the device according to Fig. 11 .

Fig. 13

a front view of another device according to the invention,

Fig. 14

a side view of the device according to Fig. 13 .

Fig. 15

a clamping element from the device according to Fig. 13 .

Fig. 16

the clamping element after Fig. 15 in the release position,

Fig. 17

a further detailed representation of a clamping element,

Fig. 18

a sectional view through the clamping element after Fig. 17 .

Fig. 19

a modification of the in the FIGS. 13 and 14 shown embodiment of the invention

Fig. 20

a part of another sheet metal element with pattern,

Fig. 21

the metal element after Fig. 20 after widening,

Fig. 22

another device according to the invention,

Fig. 23

a schematic detail view of a device according to the invention and

Fig. 24

a further embodiment of an inventively designed clamping member.

Fig. 1 shows a section of a flat metal element 1, which is provided along its longitudinal axis 2 with a plurality of U-shaped, intersecting cuts 3. The in Fig. 1 shown section is significantly shortened compared to the actual length of the metal element 1 is formed. In fact, the metal element 1 forms a long metal strip, which may for example have a length of several 100 m.

The metal element 1 is already in the German patent application 102 59 307.8 which is explicitly referred to.

The cuts 3 are arranged so that the in Fig. 1 Halves 4, 5 of the metal element 1 shown above or below the sections 3 can be pulled apart perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 2, so that a resulting metal element with an increased width is produced. A corresponding folding process is in the Fig. 3 to 5 shown in detail. Other possible patterns are in Fig. 2 shown by way of example.

Correspondingly widened metal elements can be used, for example, for the production of profiles, as used, for example, as edge protection (US Pat. Fig. 6 ) or as stand profiles for drywall ( Fig. 7 ), eg in the form of U and C profiles.

To the known metal elements 1 at high speed as in Fig. 3 to 5 to expand shown, according to the invention, for example, a device according to Fig. 8 used.

Fig. 8 schematically shows an elongated, flat metal element 11, which moves according to an arrow 12 along its longitudinal axis 14.

The metal element 11 is cut according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 or provided with any other suitable pattern, which is included in Fig. 8 as well as not shown in the further figures for reasons of clarity. In the upper area of the Fig. 8 the metal element 11 has its original width, as it exists before the expansion.

In the Fig. 8 illustrated device 13 for expanding the metal element 11 comprises two substantially identically formed, arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal axis 14 of the metal element 11 crawler 15. Each crawler conveyor 15 comprises a plurality of conveyor members 16, for example, via a in the Fig. 8 not shown chain are connected together.

The caterpillar conveyors 15 are designed as endless crawler conveyors and are guided according to arrows 17 rotatable about guide rollers 18. Depending on the design, two or more deflection rollers can be provided.

Basically, the guide rollers 18 may be driven or only rotate freely about their respective axes.

In each case on the outwardly facing sides of the conveyor members 16 clamping elements 19 are arranged, which move together with the conveyor members 16 in the direction of arrow 17. The caterpillar conveyors 15 thus form carrier units for the clamping elements 19, while in each case the clamping elements 19 provided on a caterpillar conveyor form a clamping section of this crawler conveyor.

The two caterpillar conveyors 15 are arranged so that an inlet region 20 and an adjoining widening region 21 are formed. In the inlet region 20, clamping elements 19, which are opposite each other and face the longitudinal axis 14 of the metal element 11, have the same distance from one another, which corresponds approximately to the width of the metal element 11, which has not yet expanded. In Aufweitbereich 21, the distance of opposing clamping elements 19 increases continuously, as it out Fig. 8 can be seen. The inlet region 20 is not absolutely necessary, so that, for example, the middle Deflection rollers 18 can be omitted in each case and the widening region 21 extends over the entire length of the caterpillar conveyors 15.

This in Fig. 8 metal element 11 shown is arranged in the inlet region 20 between the two caterpillar conveyor 15, that the two longitudinal sides 22, 23 of the metal element 11 engage in the clamping elements 19 and are held by these.

In the expansion area 21, the metal element 11 is widened by the apart clamping elements 19 according to arrows 24 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 14 until it has the desired width at the outlet end of the widening region 21. After widening, the metal element can be rolled or pressed flat, for example in a rolling process, whereby it reaches its final width and the folding points generated in the metal element during widening are equalized. In principle, this can also be done by any other suitable pressing method (for example in a lifting press).

Both the retention of the longitudinal sides 22, 23 of the metal element at the beginning of the inlet region 20 as well as the release of the widened metal element at the end of the Aüfweitbereichs 21 is effected by unillustrated control sections, which cause an automatic closing or opening of the clamping elements 19. Also prior to the start of the inlet region 20 corresponding control sections may be provided, spend the eventual closed clamping elements 19 in the release position, so that the metal element in the inlet region 20 safely penetrate into the clamping elements 19 and can be detected by them. For example, the corresponding control sections can be formed by sliding guides, which are provided before and at the beginning of the inlet region 20 or at the end of the widening region 21 and with the Clamping elements 19 cooperate in a corresponding manner. In principle, the control could also take place, for example, by limit switches or in another suitable manner. If the inlet area 20 is omitted, then the input-side control sections can be provided correspondingly at the entrance of the widening area 21.

The caterpillar conveyors 15 form support units for the clamping elements 19 and cause by their in Fig. 8 form shown in the expansion region 21 a movement apart of the clamping elements 19, which in turn leads to a widening of the metal element 11. Any existing conveyor chains or conveyor belts, with which the individual conveyor members are connected to each other, preferably extend in the area above and / or below the clamping elements 19 (perpendicular to the surface of the metal element 11). In this way it is avoided that in the curved portions of the caterpillar conveyor 15, the metal element 11 is stretched in the longitudinal direction.

In Fig. 9 is a special embodiment of the clamping elements 19 shown in more detail. A clamping element 19 after Fig. 9 is in Fig. 10 shown again in detail.

The clamping member 19 comprises a base member 25 which is fixed to the outside of the conveying member 16, as it is made Fig. 9 can be seen. The base member 25 has a U-shaped structure, wherein the inside of the in the FIGS. 9 and 10 shown below leg forms a contact area 26 for the metal element 11.

Furthermore, the clamping element 19 comprises an eccentric 27 which is rotatable on the in the FIGS. 9 and 10 Leg shown above of the U-shaped base member 25 is mounted about an axis 28. The eccentric forms a clamping region 29 for the metal element 11, which is clamped between the abutment region 26 and the clamping region 29, as can be seen in particular Fig. 10 can be clearly seen by two arrows 30, 31.

The eccentric 27 is so eccentrically mounted rotatably about the axis 28 that after a rotation of the eccentric to Fig. 10 counterclockwise lifted the clamping action, however, is amplified in a clockwise rotation. In a tensile stress of the metal element 11 in the direction of arrow 32, the clamping effect is thus increased due to the existing friction in the nip, so that the metal element 11 is clamped automatically solid at the tensile load occurring in the expansion region 21. In principle, the clamping element 19 can also comprise several, in particular juxtaposed eccentric 27, which can be mounted for example on the same axis.

How out Fig. 9 can be seen, a control pin 33 is provided at the top of the eccentric 27, for example, in a threaded bore 34 (see Fig. 10 ) is screwed. The control pin 33 can, for example, with the above-described link guide cooperate so that at the beginning of the lead-in area 20 located in its non-clamping release position eccentric 27 is automatically transferred to the clamping position, after one of the longitudinal sides 22, 23 of the metal element 11 in the clamping region of Clamping elements 19 retracted. In an analogous manner, the eccentric 27 can be transferred from its clamping position into the release position by a further slide guide at the outlet of the widening region 21 by corresponding contact of the slide guide with the control pin 33, so that the clamped metal element 11 is released again.

By using an endless support unit with automatic clamping elements, the expansion device according to the invention is very simple and robust and can in particular expand at high speed moving metal elements from a first width to an enlarged second width.

In the FIGS. 11 and 12 a modified embodiment of the invention is described. Already described elements are numbered with the same reference numerals, which already in the description of the first embodiment according to the Fig. 8 to 10 were used.

In the embodiment of the FIGS. 11 and 12 are each arranged on both longitudinal sides 22, 23 of the metal element 11, two superposed crawlers 35, 36, of which in Fig. 11 only the upper tracked conveyor 35 can be seen in each case. The caterpillar conveyors 35, 36 in turn have a multiplicity of conveying members 16, which are connected to one another, for example, by means of a conveyor chain (not shown).

The conveyor members 16 are guided around horizontally arranged guide rollers 37, which are either driven to rotate freely.

The flat metal element 11 is arranged with its longitudinal sides 22, 23 respectively between the both sides arranged upper and lower track conveyors 35, 36 which are arranged so close to each other that the longitudinal sides 22, 23 of the metal element 11 between the upper and lower track conveyors 35, 36th are trapped. In this embodiment, therefore, the outer sides of the conveying members 16 directly form clamping sections 38 for the metal element 11.

As in particular from Fig. 11 can be seen, arranged on both sides of the metal element 11 caterpillar conveyors 35, 36 are arranged obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis 14, so that in turn an expansion region 21 is formed. Within the widening region 21, the distance between respectively opposing clamping sections 38 increases continuously in the direction of movement of the metal element 11 represented by the arrow 12.

As in the embodiment according to Fig. 8 to 10 Thus, widening and widening of the metal element 11 takes place in the widening region 21, as it does Fig. 11 can be seen.

The embodiment according to the FIGS. 13 and 14 differs from the embodiments described so far in particular in that the carrier units are not formed by caterpillar conveyors, but by two mutually symmetrically inclined discs 39, 40. The discs 39, 40 are rotatable about mutually inclined axes of rotation 41, 42 and have in the in Fig. 13 shown at the top of a minimum and at the bottom of a maximum distance from each other.

In each case, the outer edge regions of the discs 39, 40 are formed as clamping portions 43, 44, wherein the peripheral surfaces of the discs 39, 40 contact areas 45, 46 for the sheet metal element 11 form.

The metal element 11 rests with its longitudinal sides 22, 23 on the contact areas 45, 46 of the discs 39, 40 and is guided around the discs 39, 40 according to arrows 47, 48.

The metal element 11 is thereby pressed against the abutment regions 45, 46 via clamping elements 49, 50 provided on the edge regions of the rotating disks 39, 40, and thereby clamped between the clamping elements 49, 50 and the abutment regions 45, 46.

Due to the mutually inclined arrangement of the rotating discs 39, 40 and the resulting, widening distance from the in Fig. 13 As shown above edges of the rotating discs 39,40 to the lower edges of the clamped metal element 11 is widened during rotation of the discs 39, 40, as it Fig. 13 can be seen.

Similar to the embodiments described above, the clamping elements 49, 50 can be automatically adjusted via slide guides from their release position to the clamping position and back. Corresponding slide guides, for example, in the field in the FIGS. 13 and 14 be provided above and below the initial and final contact points between the metal element 11 and the rotating disks 39, 40.

The FIGS. 15 and 16 show in a detailed view schematically a special embodiment of the clamping elements 49, 50th

The clamping element 49 (as well as clamping element 50, which is not further explained below) has a base part 51, which is fastened to the outside of the rotating disk 39. On the radially outer side of the base part 51, a displaceably and pivotally mounted clamping lever 52 is provided, which in Fig. 15 in the clamping position and in Fig. 16 is in the release position.

In the in Fig. 15 Clamping position shown presses the disk 39 towards the end of the clamping lever 52 on the guided around the disc 39 metal element 11 and clamps this between the disc 39 and the clamping lever 52 a.

The clamping lever 52 is thereby at its end facing away from the disc 39 according to an arrow 54 in Fig. 15 pushed upward, that its opposite end is pivoted downward according to an arrow 53, whereby the described clamping effect is achieved. The loading of the clamping lever 52 at its end facing away from the disc 39 can be done for example via a gas spring 55.

The clamping lever 52 is further slidably mounted according to two arrows 56, 57, wherein the displacement can be done for example by a slotted guide, which engages in a provided on the upper side of the clamping lever 52 groove 76. Upon a displacement of the clamping lever 52 in the release position according to Fig. 16 can also be shifted by a corresponding slide guide down the gas spring 55, so that the clamping lever 52 is freely displaceable.

A concrete embodiment of the clamping member 49 is in the FIGS. 17 and 18 again shown in detail. From these figures it can be seen that the clamping lever 52 is tiltable, for example via an intermediate lever 58 which is pivotable about an axis 59. Upon pivoting of the intermediate lever 58 by the gas pressure spring 55 about the axis 59 upwards, the clamping lever 52 is also pivoted upwards via a bolt 60 provided on the intermediate lever 58.

If, on the other hand, the intermediate lever 58 is pivoted downwardly against the gas pressure spring 55 via a link guide engaging at its free end 61, the clamping lever 52 is released for horizontal displacement, which can be controlled via a sliding guide engaging in the groove 76.

Fig. 19 shows a modification of the device according to the FIGS. 13 and 14 in which the metal element 11 according to arrows 63, 64 on one side of the slanted discs 39, 40 and on the opposite side in the substantially same direction of movement again expires. The discs 39, 40 are tilted in this case against each other, that on the in Fig. 19 left side shown the distance between the discs 39, 40 is minimal and on the outlet side shown on the right maximum to achieve the desired expansion.

In order to prevent kinking of the metal element 11, this is guided in the inlet and in the outlet area in each case in a loop over deflection rollers 62, so that the metal element 11 substantially tangential with the Anlangebereiche 45, 46 forming peripheral surfaces of the discs 39, 40 both comes into contact as this leaves again.

Fig. 20 shows a section of a flat metal element 65 which is provided with a plurality of mutually offset alternately offset parallel cuts 66. With the device according to the invention, the longitudinal sides 67, 68 of the metal element 65 forming the edge regions can be clamped and the metal element 65 can be pulled apart so that the in Fig. 21 shown, stretched metal element 65 'is generated. With a correspondingly narrow arrangement of the clamping elements, expanded metal can thus be produced with expanded, for example diamond-shaped, stitches 69, but the longitudinal sides 67, 68 are straight Outside edges, ie form a closed structure. Due to the straight outer edges, the stability of a correspondingly produced according to the invention expanded metal element 65 'compared to conventional expanded metal is significantly improved. This in Fig. 21 shown metal element 65 ', for example, for the production of profiles, such as to 6 and 7 or used for other purposes as a replacement for normal expanded metal.

Fig. 22 shows a caterpillar conveyor 70, which moves from the crawler 14 after Fig. 8 only differs in that no inlet region 20 is provided, but the metal element 11 enters directly into the expansion region 21.

Fig. 23 shows highly schematized, three trained as gate guides control sections 71, 72, 73, by which the clamping elements 19 of the invention can be automatically switched between the release position and the clamping position. Here are in Fig. 23 instead of the clamping elements 19, only their control pins 33 are indicated, which interact with the control sections 71, 72, 73. At the in Fig. 23 Upper inlet, the control pins 33 by the control portion 71 radially outward (in Fig. 23 to the left), whereby the clamping elements 19 are automatically brought into their release position, so that the metal element 11 entering the widening region 21 can enter between the abutment regions 26 and the clamping regions 29 of the clamping elements 19. After leaving the control section 71, the control pins 33 run against the radially inner control surface of the second control section 72, whereby they are tilted radially inwardly. The clamping elements 19 are thus automatically moved to the clamping position in which they pinch the longitudinal sides of the metal element 11. To inequalities in the thickness of the metal element 11 and tolerances in the To compensate for clamping elements 19, the second control section 72 is mounted movable along a double arrow 74 against a bias voltage.

After the clamping elements 19 have been brought into their clamping position defined by the second control section 72, the metal element 11 is pulled apart during the passage of the expansion area 21. At the end of the widening region 21, the control pins 33 run against the radially outer control surface of the third control section 73, by which they again tilted radially outward, so that the clamping elements 19 are transferred to their release position and the metal element 11 of the clamping elements 19 automatically is released. When returning to the beginning of Aufweitbereichs 21, the clamping elements 19 may be either in its release position or in the clamping position.

Fig. 24 shows a further embodiment of a clamping element 19 'according to the invention, which extends from the clamping element 19 after Fig. 10 essentially only differs in that the eccentric 27 'on its outer surface only partially has a circular shape through which the clamping region 29 is formed. Furthermore, in contrast to the clamping element 19, the U-shaped base element 25 is in each case connected via an intermediate element 75 to the conveyor element 16 (see FIG Fig. 9 ), which in particular may be formed integrally with the base element 25.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

flat metal element

2

longitudinal axis

3

slice

4

upper half of the metal element

5

lower half of the metal element

11

flat metal element

12

arrow

13

expander

14

longitudinal axis

15

track conveyor

16

conveying members

17

arrows

18

deflection rollers

19

clamping elements

20

intake area

21

expansion area

22

Longitudinal side of the metal element

23

Longitudinal side of the metal element

24

arrows

25

base element

26

plant area

27

eccentric

28

axis

29

clamping range

30

arrow

31

arrow

32

arrow

33

control pin

34

threaded hole

35

upper caterpillar conveyor

36

lower caterpillar conveyor

37

deflection rollers

38

clamping portions

39

disc

40

disc

41

axis of rotation

42

axis of rotation

43

clamping section

44

clamping section

45

plant area

46

plant area

47

arrow

48

arrow

49

clamping elements

50

clamping elements

51

base

52

clamping lever

53

arrow

54

arrow

55

Gas spring

56

arrow

57

arrow

58

intermediate lever

59

axis of rotation

60

bolt

61

free end of the intermediate lever

62

guide rollers

63

arrow

64

arrow

65

metal element

65 '

stretched metal element

66

slice

67

Longitudinal sides of the metal element

68

Longitudinal sides of the metal element

69

mesh

70

track conveyor

71

control section

72

control section

73

control section

74

double arrow

75

intermediate element

76

groove

Claims (23)

1. An apparatus formed for the expansion of elongated metal elements (11, 65) which move in the longitudinal direction and are areal at least regionally, suitable for the forming of sectional elements, such as for example upright or plastering sections, comprising at least two mutually oppositely disposed holding portions (19, 38, 49, 50) of which one is arranged and configured for holding a first longitudinal side (22, 67) of the metal element (11, 65) and the other is arranged and configured for holding a second longitudinal side (23, 68) of the metal element (11, 65) disposed opposite the first longitudinal side (22, 67) of the metal element (11, 65), with the holding portions (19, 38, 43, 44) each being provided at a carrier unit (15, 35, 36, 39, 40) by which the holding portions (19, 38, 43, 44) are automatically moved apart substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the metal element (11, 65) during the forward movement of the metal element (11, 65),characterized in that the holding portions are formed as clamping portions (19, 38, 43, 44), clamped holding the smooth longitudinal sides (22, 23, 67, 68) of the metal element (11, 65) takes place, which are formed without engagement elements, wherein the clamping portions (19, 43, 44) each include a contact region (45, 46, 26) and a clamping region (29, 52) and the longitudinal sides (22, 23, 67, 68) of the metal element (11, 65) can be clamped between the contact region (25, 45, 46) and the clamping region (29, 52).
2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the clamping region (29) is formed by an eccentric member (27); and in particular in that the eccentric member (27) is supported at a support section of the clamping portion (19) such that the clamping force generated by the eccentric member (27) increases automatically on the moving apart of the clamping portions (19).
3. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the claims 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the clamping region can be pre-stressed by spring bias toward the contact region.
4. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the clamping portions each include a plurality of clamping elements (19, 49, 50).
5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that a control section (72), in particular in the form of a cam track guide, is provided with which the clamping elements (19, 49, 50) are automatically brought from a release position into a clamping position on the movement of the metal element (11, 65).
6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the control section (72) is moveably provided to compensate for different positions of the clamping elements (19, 49, 50); and in particular in that the control section (72) is movably supported hydraulically or against a spring force
7. An apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 5 or 6,
   characterized in that the control section (72) is constructed, so that having moved the clamping elements (19, 49, 50) into their clamping position the clamping elements (19, 49, 50) are decoupled from the control section (72), during the moving apart of the clamping portions (19, 38, 49, 50).
8. An apparatus in accordance with at least one of the claims 4 to 7,
   characterized in that a control section (73), in particular in the form of a cam track guide, is provided with which the clamping elements (19, 49, 50) are automatically brought back from the clamping position into the release position on the further movement of the metal element (11, 65) after the expansion of the metal element (11, 65).
9. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the carrier unit (15, 35, 36) is in each case formed as a circulating carrier unit, in particular as an endless circulating carrier unit.
10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that at least two circulating carrier units (35, 36) are arranged at each longitudinal side (22, 23, 67, 68) of the metal element (11, 65); and in that each longitudinal side (22, 23, 67, 68) of the metal element (11, 65) is in each case clamped between at least two carrier units (35, 36).
11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that at least one circulating carrier unit (15) is arranged at each longitudinal side (22, 23, 67, 68) of the metal element (11, 65); and in that each longitudinal side (22, 23, 67, 68) of the metal element (11, 65) is respectively clamped in the clamping portions (19) provided at the circulating carrier units (15).
12. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an expansion region (21) is formed between the mutually oppositely disposed clamping portions (19) in which the spacing between the mutually oppositely disposed clamping portions (19) increases.; and in particular in that the spacing of the mutually oppositely disposed clamping portions (19) increases substantially continuously in the expansion region (21).
13. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that a run-in region (20) is provided for the metal element (11, 65) in which the mutually oppositely disposed clamping portions (19) have substantially a constant spacing with respect to one another.
14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 and claim 13,
    characterized in that the expansion region (21) adjoins the run-in region (20).
15. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that the support units are made as track conveyors (15, 35, 36).
16. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that a downstream pressing or rolling apparatus is provided by which the expanded metal element (11, 65) is pressed or rolled flat, in particular in its areal region.
17. A method for the expansion of elongated metal elements (11, 65) which move in the longitudinal direction and are areal at least regionally, suitable for the forming of sectional elements, such as for example upright or plastering sections, in particular using an apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first longitudinal side (22) of the metal element (11, 65) is clamped in a holding manner in a first holding portion (19, 38, 49, 50) and a second longitudinal side (23) of the metal element (11, 65) is held in a second holding portion (19, 38, 49, 50) disposed opposite the first holding portion, with the holding portions (19, 38, 43, 44) each being provided at a carrier unit (15, 35, 36, 39, 40) by which the holding portions (19, 38, 43, 44) are automatically moved apart substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the metal element (11, 65) during the forward movement of the metal element (11, 65),
    characterized in that the holding portions are formed as clamping portions (19, 38, 49, 50) and that the smooth longitudinal sides (22, 23, 67, 68) of the metal element (11, 65) are clampingly held in the clamping sections (19, 38, 49, 50), without engagement elements being formed in the longitudinal sides (22, 23, 67, 68), with the clamping portions (19, 43, 44) each including a contact region (45, 46, 26) and a clamping region (29, 52) and the longitudinal sides (22, 23, 67, 68) of the metal element (11, 65) being clamped between the contact region (25, 45, 46) and the clamping region (29, 52).
18. A method in accordance with claim 17, characterized in that the longitudinal sides (22, 23, 67, 68) of the metal element (11, 65) are clamped between the contact region (25, 45, 46) and an eccentric member (27) forming the clamping region (29).
19. A method in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that the clamping force generated by the eccentric member (27) automatically increases on the moving apart of the clamping portions
20. A method in accordance with any one of the claims 17 to 19,
    characterized in that the clamping portions each comprise a plurality of clamping elements (19, 49, 50); and in that the clamping elements (19, 49, 50) are automatically brought from a release position into a clamping position by a control section, in particular in the form of a guide track.
21. A method in accordance with claim 20, characterized in that the control section is moved to compensate for different positions of the clamping elements (19, 49, 50); and in particular in that the control section (72) is moved hydraulically or against a spring force.
22. An apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 20 or 21, characterized in that after the clamping elements (19, 49, 50) have been brought into their clamping position they are decoupled from the control section (72), during the moving apart of the clamping portions (19, 38, 49, 50).
23. A method in accordance with any one of the claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the clamping portions each comprise a plurality of clamping elements (19, 49, 50); and in that the clamping elements (19, 49, 50) are again automatically brought from the clamping position into the release position by a control section (73), in particular in the form of a cam track guide, after expansion of the metal element (11, 65) on the further movement of the metal element (11, 65).

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