GB792546A - Improvements relating to wire-bending machines - Google Patents

Abstract

792,546. Corrugating wire. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. Sept. 12, 1956 [Oct. 7, 1955], No. 27863/56. Class 83 (4). A machine for bending wire into zig-zag formation comprises a pair of wire-bending elements arranged one on each side of the course of feed of the wire but in fixed location relative to that feed, means to oscillate the bending elements repeatedly so that they engage the wire and bend it alternately in opposite directions, a rotatable wheel having around its circumference two rows of pins slidable radially of the wheel to vary their projection from it, two arcuate fixed cam tracks engageable one with each row of pins and shaped so that during rotation of the wheel the pins are in succession outwardly projected to act as abutments about which the wire is bent by the bending elements, and mechanism to drive the wheel and the oscillator means. Wire 138 from a guide 139 is bent to zig-zag form 140 about pins 37, projected radially from a rotating wheel 29, by oscillating pins 16, 16<SP>1</SP>. The pin 16, and likewise the pin 16<SP>1</SP>, is supported at one corner of a triangular element 9 rocked by a crank-pin 20, on a crank 17 journalled in another corner 12 of the element 9, about the third corner 14 which is pivoted to a link 22 (or 22<SP>1</SP>) itself rocked slightly about a fulcrum 118 (or 117) so that the pins 16, 16<SP>1</SP> follow elliptical paths 23, 23<SP>1</SP>. The pins 37 are arranged in two staggered peripheral rows on the wheel 29 and are radially retracted thereinto by a stationary spiral cam tracks 44 which enter slots 39 in the pins 37, the pins being projected at the upper part of their travel by fingers 60 on levers 53, which bridge the gaps between the ends of the cam tracks 44. Each lever 53 is rocked about its pivot 54 by a roller 64 thereon engaging a cam track 61 on the crank 17. In a modification, Fig. 33, the cam track has a fixed element 148 which bridges the ends of the track to lift the pins 37. The shape of the zig-zag wire may be varied by adjusting the pivots 117 and/or 118, parallel to the path of the wire feed, the pivots being carried in slides 107, 108 adjustable independently and together by screw means.