FR2720304A1 - Folder. - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a folding machine of the kind comprising a base (12), which, forming a frame, is fixed, a side-clamp (13), which, articulated to the base (12) by at least two sets of articulation ( 14) distant from each other, is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the latter, and locking means (15) suitable for locking the clamp (13) in the closed position. According to the invention, and jointly, the articulation assemblies (14) are established at a distance from the ends of the clamp (13), there is associated locking means (15) to each of them, and, at- Beyond each of these articulation assemblies (14) with respect to the space they delimit, there is provided, between the sidewall clamp (13) and the base (12), a wedge 40. Application, in particular, zinc work on roofing sites.

Description

The present invention relates in a general manner to the

  Folders, that is, machines or apparatus

  to ensure the folding of any sheet of metal.

  It aims more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, those bending machines that are intended for zinc work on the sites of coverage. These folders usually comprise a bed base, sometimes called bottom bed, which, forming a frame, is fixed, a flank clamp, sometimes called upper bed base, which, articulated to the bed frame by at least two articulation sets distant one of the other, is movable between an open position for which it is spaced from the bed base and a closed position for which it is instead applied to it, and locking means adapted to a lock of the flank clamp

in the closed position.

  Overall, the bed base and the strut are in the form of elongated beams, to be able to allow the treatment of relatively large sheets of metal.

great length.

  One of the problems to be solved, in these conditions, is the relative deflection of which they are inevitably the object relative to each other between two supports, and, therefore, between

  the two sets of articulation that connect them.

  Because of this arrow, the metal sheet to bend may be imperfectly tight, and therefore held between two sets of articulation, and its folding risk in

  this case to be done in bad conditions.

  To overcome this difficulty, it has already been proposed to equip the strut of a tensioner for conferring in advance, by camber, to this clamp, a counter-arrow which, when closed, allows to obtain between the two articulation assemblies, a correct tightening of the metal sheet to

to fold.

  This is the case, for example, in the French patent filed December 20, 1978 under No. 78 35797 and published under

No. 2,444,517.

  But, this tensioner can be ineffective when the side clamp has a high rigidity, or in other words, a large moment of transverse inertia, and this is the case, in particular, if it consists of a section from section section

transversal box.

  It has also been proposed to multiply the number of articulation assemblies between the flange and the bed base, to limit the distance between two successive articulation assemblies, and thus limit the relative deflection that can be taken between them the flank and the box spring

  between such articulation sets.

  This is the case, for example, in the US patent

No. 4,557,132.

  But in this case, the cost and weight of the whole are inevitably increased accordingly,

  the number of articulation sets used.

  In addition, the metal sheet to be bent can not engage between any two successive ones of these hinge assemblies. This results, on the one hand, the need, to the detriment, still, of the weight and the cost, as well as to the detriment of the transversal bulk of the assembly, to lengthen in U the sets of articulation, so that the sheet of metal to be bent can at least extend in width in favor of the elbow thereof, and, however, on the other hand, an inevitable limitation in width of the metal sheets likely to be really

processed.

  The present invention generally has the

  object a provision to avoid these disadvantages.

  More specifically, it relates to a bending machine of the kind comprising a bed base, which, forming a frame, is fixed, a flank clamp, which, articulated to the bed frame by at least two hinge assemblies distant one of the other, is movable between an open position for which it is spaced from the bed base and a closed position for which it is instead applied to it, and locking means adapted to a locking of the side clamp in position of closure, this folder being generally characterized in that, together, the assemblies

  joints are established at a distance from the ends of the

  flank, it is associated locking means to each of them, and, beyond each of the sets of articulation relative to the space they delimit, it is expected, between the

  flange and bed frame, a hold.

  In practice, this wedge is carried by the clamp.

  Whatever the case may be, she leads this flank to take a camber, which results in a counter-arrow of such a nature as to counteract the relative deflection of which this flank-piece and the bed-frame are the object of one compared to the other. other

  clamping between two sets of articulation.

  Indeed, taking support on the corresponding wedge, the locking means associated with each of these articulation assemblies press on the clamp in the direction for which, between the two sets of articulation, they solicit this clamp, and, therefore, in particular, the part

  median of it, towards the bed base.

  It is thus advantageously possible to ensure correct clamping of the sheet of metal to be folded between the two sets of articulation, even if the clamp and the bed frame

have a high rigidity.

  It is advantageously possible to be satisfied with only two sets of articulation between the flange and the bed base, and thus to allow the least cost folding of metal sheets of any width whose length is simply less than the distance separating one of these two sets of articulation for their

passage between them.

  The characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will emerge from the description which follows,

  As an example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partial elevational view of a folder according to the invention; Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the mode of intervention of the wedges implemented in this folder; Figure 3 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of Figure 1 identified by an inset III in this Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partial end view of the folder according to the invention, in the closed position; Figure 5 is a partial end view similar to that of Figure 4, for the open position of the folder according to the invention; FIGS. 6 and 7 are, on a larger scale, partial cross-sectional views of the folder according to the invention, in the closed position, according to each

  respectively the lines VI-VI and VII-VII of Figure 1.

  As illustrated in these figures, it is a question, overall, to ensure the folding, parallel to one of its longitudinal edges, and close to it, a sheet

  of metal 10 of length L1 and width L2.

  In a manner known per se, the folder 11 used for this purpose comprises, overall, a bed base 12, which, forming a frame, is fixed, a flange 13, which articulated to the bed base 12 by at least two sets of articulation 14 spaced from each other by a distance D, is movable between an open position, shown schematically in broken lines in Figure 4 and shown in continuous lines in Figure 5, for which it is removed from the bed frame 12, and a closed position, shown in continuous lines in Figure 4 and in Figures 6 and 7, for which it is instead applied to the bed base 12, and, in the manner described in more detail later, means of lock 15 adapted to lock the flank 13 in the closed position. In the embodiment shown, the bed base 12 and the flange clamp 13 are each formed by a section of

  sectional sectional sectional section.

  It is for example sections of extruded section

in aluminium.

  In practice, this bed base 12 and this clamp 13 have a

same length L3.

  To allow folding of the metal sheet 10 at an acute angle, the flank 13 forms along its length.

  longitudinal edge before 16, a spout 17 relatively tapered.

  It therefore has, overall, a trapezoidal cross section. In the embodiment shown, the base 12 also has a generally trapezoidal cross section. On the lower surface of the bed base 12 are reported, at a distance from each other, and, in practice, recessed, each respectively, with respect to the two ends of the bed base

12, two legs 18.

  To allow the desired folding, an apron 19 is articulated by an axis 20 to the bed base 12, along the edge

longitudinal before 21 thereof.

  Such an apron 19 does not belong directly to the

  present invention, it will not be described in detail here.

  It will suffice to indicate that it is equipped with a handle 22 to facilitate handling, and that, to ensure the retention horizontally, level with the bed frame 12, he

is associated two crutches 23.

  In the embodiment shown, on the lower surface of the flank 13 short, longitudinally, near its longitudinal front edge 16, a groove 24, for housing a retaining strip 25 of material

synthetic.

  Similarly, on the upper surface of the bed base 12, short, longitudinally, near its longitudinal front edge 21, a groove 26, for housing a rod of

  retainer 27 of synthetic material.

  Each of the hinge assemblies 14 used comprises, on the back of the bed base 12, a C-shaped bracket 28, which at one of its ends is integral with a sole plate 29 by which it is attached, for example to using screws 30, on the rear face of this bed base 12, and which, by its other

  end, hangs over the flank 13.

  For example, and as shown, this bracket C 28 is formed by a flange which, properly cut, extends generally transversely to the bed base 12

and the flanklock 13.

  Each of the hinge assemblies 14 used comprises, in addition, on the back of the clamp 13, an arm 32, integral with a sole 33 by which it is attached, by

  example using screws 34, on the rear face of this clamp

  flank 13, is articulated by an axis 35 to the console C 28

  associated, in the middle part of it.

  For example, and as shown, this arm 32 is formed of a flange which, suitably cut, extends transversely with respect to the clamp 13 and to the base 12. In the embodiment shown, the arm 32 extends forwardly by a finger 36 which, by a sole 37, is secured to the upper surface of the flange 13,

for example using screws 38.

  According to the invention, and jointly, the hinge assemblies 14 are established at a distance from the ends of the clamp 13, it is associated with the locking means 15 to each of them, and beyond each of the sets of 14 with respect to the space they delimit, there is provided, between the clamp 13 and the bed base 12, a shim 40. In practice, only two sets of articulation 14 are provided, with the plumb , respectively, the legs 18. In other words, the distance D between these two sets of articulation 14 is less than the length L3 of the bed base 12 and the clamp 13, and, according to the invention, it is expected, on both sides of these hinge assemblies 14, between

  the flank 13 and the bed base 12, a shim 40.

  In practice, this wedge 40 extends from the longitudinal front edge 16 of the clamp 13, transversely with respect to this clamp 13, and is installed at

the end of it.

  In the embodiment shown, each of the two wedges 40 used is in the form of a

parallelepipedal plate.

  This is for example a steel plate.

  In practice, each of these two shims 40 is attached to the clamp 13 on the lower surface thereof,

for example using screws 41.

  Preferably, but not necessarily necessarily, the thickness E2 of the shims 40 is chosen to be in any case greater than that El of the sheets of

  metal 10 that can be processed.

  For example, this thickness E2 is of the order of 3 to mm. According to their length L4, the wedges 40 extend over

  at least part of the width of the strut 13.

  Preferentially, but necessarily necessarily, they extend for example over more than

half of that width.

  As a corollary, the width L5 of the shims 40, that is to say the dimension according to which these shims 40 extend along the length of the clamp 13 and the bed base

12, can be reduced.

  For example, this width L5 is of the order of 10 to mm. In the embodiment shown, the locking means 15 associated with each of the articulation assemblies 14 are toggle locking means. In a manner known per se, they comprise a first connecting rod 42, which, formed of twin flanges framing the corresponding C 28 bracket, is articulated by an axis 43 to the latter, and a second connecting rod 44, which is articulated by an axis 45 to the previous rod 42, is also articulated by an axis 46 to

  finger 36 of the arm 32 of the clamp 13.

  Preferably, and in known manner, the connecting rod 44 is adjustable in length, for example comprising

for this purpose a threaded rod 47.

  The corresponding provisions are well known by

  they themselves will not be described in more detail here.

  Similarly, and in a manner known per se, it is associated with each of the hinge assemblies 14, a compensating spring 48, coupled at one of its ends to the C 28 console of the bed base 12, and at the other end,

at the arm 32 of the squeegee 13.

  The rods 42 of the two locking means 15 are connected to each other by a bar 49, which runs parallel to the clamp 13, and which for handling

  of the assembly, is provided with a handle 50 in its central zone.

  In use, the metal sheet 10 to be folded is inserted between the clamp 13 and the base 12 while, as shown schematically in broken lines in Figure 4, the clamp 13 is in the open position, and by pivoting towards the front of the handle 50, along the arrow F1 in FIG. 4, the clamp 13 is tilted in the closed position, following

the arrow F2 of this figure 4.

  During this tilting, the axis 45 by which the two connecting rods 42, 44 of the locking means 15 are articulated to each other crosses the neutral position corresponding to the alignment of the two axes 43, 46 of these

  connecting rods 42, 44, which leads to the desired locking.

  As illustrated in the diagram of FIG. 2, the locking means 15 then act on the flange 13 in a direction for which, with regard to the support provided corollary by the shims 40 used according to the invention. , they urge this flange 13 towards the bed base 12 at any point of this flange clamp 13 between the hinge assemblies 14, and therefore, in particular, in its zone

median.

  By construction, it is ensured that the corresponding clamping force in this median zone remains sufficient for proper holding of the metal sheet 10

to bend.

  As will be noted, this sheet of metal 10 can advantageously cross, from one end to the other, over its entire length, the folder 11, without being obstructed by the sets

articulation 14 thereof.

  In other words, the result of these articulation assemblies 14 is no limitation in width L2 for these

metal sheets 10.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but encompasses

any variant of execution.

  For example, the shims used could equally well be reported on the bed base and / or they could be longitudinally profiled and / or be

  longitudinally and / or transversely fractionated.

Claims (10)

  1. Folder of the kind comprising a bed base (12), which, forming a frame, is fixed, a flank (13), which articulated to the bed (12) by at least two sets of articulation (14) distant the one of the other, is movable between an open position for which it is spaced from the bed (12), and a closed position for which it is instead applied to it, and locking means (15) adapted to lock the flange clamp (13) in the closed position, characterized in that, together, the hinge assemblies (14) are set at a distance from the ends of the flank (13), it is associated means at each of them, and beyond each of the hinge assemblies (14) with respect to the space they delimit, there is provided between the flange (13) and the bed frame (12), a wedge (40).   2. Folder according to claim 1, characterized in that the wedge (40) extends from the longitudinal edge front (16) of the flank (13).   3. Folder according to any one of the claims   1, 2, characterized in that the wedge (40) extends   transversely to the flank (13).   4. Folder according to any one of the claims   1 to 3, characterized in that the wedge (40) is located at the end of the flank (13).   5. Folder according to any one of the claims   1 to 4, characterized in that the shim (40) is reported on the flank (13).   6. Folder according to any one of the claims   1 to 5, characterized in that only two hinge assemblies (14) are provided between the flank (13) and the bed frame (12).   Bending machine according to one of the claims   1 to 6, characterized in that the locking means (15) associated with each of the articulation assemblies (14) are   locking means to toggle.   8. Folder according to any one of the claims   1 to 7, characterized in that the bed (12) and the flank (13) are each formed by a section section section transversal box.   Folder according to one of the claims   1 to 8, characterized in that, on the lower surface of the flank (13), short, longitudinally, near its forward longitudinal edge (16), a groove (24), for the housing   a retaining strip (25) of synthetic material.   Folder according to one of the claims   1 to 9, characterized in that, on the upper surface of the bed base (12), short, longitudinally, near its longitudinal front edge (21), a groove (26), for housing a   retaining strip (27) of synthetic material.