US1164698A

US1164698A - Apparatus for forming sheet-metal articles.

Info

Publication number: US1164698A
Application number: US2873615A
Authority: US
Inventors: John Dudley Artz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1915-05-17
Filing date: 1915-05-17
Publication date: 1915-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1932-12-21

Description

J. D. ARTZ.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHEET METAL ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY HI 19l5.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

J. D. ARTZ.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHEET METAL ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I7. 1915.

Patented D60. 21,1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

0 Tami M1 llll FOLUMHIA I'LANUKJIAI'II cu, WAsnmuTON, D, c

J. D. ARTZ.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHEET METAL ARTICLES.

. APPLICATION FILED MAY I7. 1915. LTMfiW. Patented Dec.21,1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IHUT.

"ll Hill a 0 a T PAEN'ZT lFFllQhl.

JOHN DUDLEY ARTZ, 0F DAYTON, OHIO.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING- SHEET-METAL ARTICLES.

LftZdJEEQS.

Application filed May 17, 1915.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN DUDLEY An'rz, citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of @hio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Forming Sheet-Metal Articles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved apparatus for forming sheet metal articles.

The object of the invention is to simplify the structure as well as the means and mode of operation of such apparatus whereby it will not only be cheapened in construction, but will be more eiiicient in use, capable of being easily and quickly operated, economical in operation, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to produce an improved means for forming sheet metal articles or giving to bodies of sheet metal or similar material a predetermined contour without the use of a die.

lVith the above primary and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the assembled apparatus forming the subject matter hereof in its prefer ed form for putting into efiect the herein described method. Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the grip per jaws and the connection of the adjustment screw. Fig. 5 is a modification of the gripper adjustment means. Figs. 6 and 7 are elevations of elementary apparatus for putting into effect the method herein de scribed. I

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

lileretofore in forming various articles from sheet metal it has been customary to employ in conjunction with the punch or ram which conforms to the interior shape of the article, a die or matrix conforming to the exterior contour thereof. In the forming operation as commonly practised it is the custom to press or stamp the material into the die or matrix by projecting the punch or ram thereinto upon the inter? Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 211, 1915.

Serial No. 28,736.

posed sheet of material. The making of punches and dies for the method heretofore employed is a highly skilled art and dies for sheet metal articles of comparatlvely large size are exceedingly expensive.

The apparatus herein described is especially adapted for forming comparatively large bodies such as. automobile tonneaux, hoods, fenders, and similar parts such as are usually constructed from sheet metal, without the use of die or matrix.

The operating parts of the preferred form of apparatus are located upon a bed comprising parallel girders or I

beams

1, 1 connected in spaced relation one with the other by intermediate transverse connecting rods and

spacers

2, 2. Supported upon the bed girders 1, l is a hydraulic press of ordinary construction comprising a cylinder or chamber 3 within which reciprocates a stem or plunger carrying at its upper end a head or table a. Inasmuch as hydraulic presses are in common use and the particular press employed in this construction may be of any convenient proportion or desired construction, it has not been illustrated in detail. The head or table 4: of the press is guided in its reciprocatory movement by suitable guides 5 projecting forward from the bed girders 1. At its opposite sides the head 4 is provided with ears or lugs 6 in which are rigidly secured parallel pendant shafts 7 carrying at their lower ends adjustable nuts 8. Attached to the upper sides of the

bed girders

1, 1 at opposite sides of the hydraulic press are ways or guides 9 of any suitable form but which in the drawings have been shown in the form of short lengths of girders or beams. Resting upon these ways or guides 9 and slidingly movable thereon are transversely arranged gripper jaw frames 10. These gripper jaw frames are provided on their upper sides with longitudinally disposed grooves or recesses at one side of which is located a stationary gripper jaw or bar 11 preferably, though not necessarily, corrugated and at the opposite side is an oscillatory jaw 12 preferably, though not necessarily, eccentrically shaped in relation with its axis of oscillation co-acting with the stationary jaw 11 to firmly hold a section of sheet metal inserted between said jaws. The movable or oscillatory jaw is controlled. by means of a hand lever 13 and the construction and arrangement of the jaws l1 and 12 is such that as the oscillatcry jaw swings upward it tends to approach the stationary jaw whereby the pull or strain exerted upon the jaws by the engaged sheet metal during the forming operation tends to set the jaws to grip the ma terial more tightly. On account of the great strain to which the gripper jaw frames are subjected, the frames are preferably reinforced by means of exterior ribs 14. The jaw frames 10 are provided with hearing faces or lugs 15 on their under sides which engage and slide upon the guides or ways 9. Extending downward from each of the gripper jaw frames 10 are one or more pendant shafts 16 carrying at their lower ends transverse ties or bars 17 engaging the under sides of the bed girders 1. The cross ties 17 are preferably, though not necessarily, provided with bearing blocks 18 slightly convex on their engaging faces which bear upon the under sides of the bed girders. The pendant shafts 16 are provided with nuts 19 at their lower ends by which the cross ties 17 are supported. The gripper jaw frames 10 with their connected pendant shaft 16 and cross head 17 are each independently adjustable in relation one with the other and in relation with the hy draulic press. Not only are the gripper jaws capable of independent adjustment but either end of the gripper jaw frames may be adjusted independently, thereby varying the degree of inclination of the gripper jaw frames one with the other and with the bed girders. In such adjustment of the gripper jaw frames it is to be understood that the frame 10 with the pendant shaft 16 and cross ties 17 move in unison as a single unit. As the purpose of the cross ties 17 with their hearing blocks 18 engaging the under edges of the

bed girders

1, 1 is to resist the upward pull or tension of the gripper jaw frames under the influence of the hydraulic press, it is obvious that chains or cables might be substituted for the pendant shafts 16 without changing the operation of the parts. Such variation is so obvious as not to require illustration as it will be readily understood by any person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Projecting from the opposite ends'of the gripper jaw frames 10 are hubs or sleeves 20 within which are mounted swivel heads comprising an oscillatory head or body 21 rotating on a horizontal axis alined with that of the gripper jaw frames and a second head or nut 22 journaled in the first mentioned head and oscillating on an axis substantially perpendicular to that of the head 21. The head 21 is preferably split or formed in halves to permit the engagement therein of the oscillatory nuts or heads 22. The oscillatory nuts or heads are screw threaded for the engagement of the revoluble screw shafts 23. At their inner ends the screw shafts 23 are journaled in clevises 2-1 pivoted at 25 to ears or lugs projecting from a collar or sleeve 26 loosely mounted upon the pendant shaft 7. Intel-posed between the nuts 8 and the sleeve or collar 26 is a filler or take up block 27. It is to be understood that there is a screw shaft for each end of each gripper jaw frame. By the revoluble adjustment of the screw shafts 23 the opposite ends of the gripper jaw frames 10 are independently adjusted whereby the gripper jaw frames may be made to approach or reccde one from the other and their angularity one with the other and with the bed of the apparatus may be varied.

In the operation of the apparatus a forining head or ram 28 is mounted on the head or table at of the hydraulic press. This forming head or ram 28 may be of metal but is preferably of wood, being constructed of heavy timbers or of laminated construction. with metal reinforcements at points where necessary. A section of sheet metal or other material operated upon is extended across V and about the ram or forming head 28 and the opposite ends of the metal section are engaged in the

gripper jaw

11 and 12 at the opposite sides of the hydraulic press. It will be understood that the gripper frames 10 are first adjusted by means of the screw shafts 23 substantially into alinenicnt with the sides of the ram head 28. The actuating medium is then admitted to the chamber 3 and the table 4t and ram head are forced upward against the section. of sheet metal, the opposite sides of which are held by the gripper jaws, thus placing the metal under tension. The pressure of the ram head is gradually increased until, in the formation of automobile tonneaux and similar products, a pressure of approximately one hundred and fifty tons is attained. It will be understood that the mavimum pressure necessary to affect the material will depend upon the nature, the strength and the gage of the material operated upon. The extreme pressure upon the medial portion of the section of sheet metal while the opposite sides thereof are firmly hold causes the sheet to be stretched into conformity with the form or ram head. The degree of stretching will vary in different portions of the sheet in accordance with the contour of the form.

As the table 4: and ram head 28 approach the limit of their stroke the elevation of the pendant shafts 7 in unison therewith causes the filler or take up blocks 27 to engage the sleeves 26 and thereafter carry said sleeves 26 upward in unison with the movement of the table 4: and the ram head 28. As before described, this sleeve 26 forms a part of the toggle link formed by the screw shaft 23 connecting the gripper jaw frame. As the sleeve 26 is. drawn upward this toggle link operates to cause the gripper jaw frames 10 to automatically approach one toward the other to draw the material more tightly into contact with the sides of the form or ram head 28. This movement of the gripper jaw frames further tends to increase the tension upon the section of sheet material and to distribute the stress or strain.

lit will be understood that by employing take up or filler blocks 27 of difi'erent heights and by the adjustment of the nuts 8 the gripper jaw frames may be drawn inward earlier or later during the time of operation of the ram head. By this means the sheet material is placed under a high degree of tension unequally distributed whereby some portion of the sheet material will be stretched to a further degree than others, causing it to correspondin ly change its shape to conform to that of the head or ram 28.

To insure the conformity of the sheet material to the form or head and to facilitate the stretching or flow of the metal, the material operated upon may be hammered or swaged during the stretching operation. Likewise in forming automobile parts the margins of the sheet material are preferably flanged by hammering while the material is stretched over the form or ram head.

While in Figs. 1 to linclusive each of the screw shafts 23 is independent of the other screw shafts, whereby each of the screw shafts may be rotated independently to adjust the corresponding end of the gripper jaw frame, in Fig. 5 there is shown a modification in which the corresponding ends of the opposite gripper jaw frames are connected one with the other by a single screw shaft provided with right and left hand threads by the rotation of which the gripper jaw frames are caused to simultaneously approach one toward the other. It is obvious that in employing this construction the automatic contraction or inward movement of the gripper jaw frames under the influence of the toggle links before mentioned is dispensed with.

While the form of apparatus hereinbefore described is preferred an elementary form or modification of the apparatus is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Referring to Fig. 6, thereis shown a screw press comprising a base 29 having uprights 30 supporting transverse or head girders 31. Supported upon the head girders 31 in any suitable manner is a main pressure scr w 32 hearing at its lower end upon a head or form 33 about which. the article is to be shaped. Located on opposite sides of the head or form 33 are pedestals or supports 34- with the heads of which clamp plates 35 cotiperate to firmly hold the opposite sides of the section 36 of sheet metal. The clamp plates 35 are forced down ward upon the heads of the pedestals or supports 34: to engage the metal section by means of clamping screws 37. The sections 36 of sheet metal, having been engaged by the clamping plates 35 over the tops of the pedestal 3%, forms a sling or bight in which the form or head 33 rests. Pressure is then applied by means of the main pressure screw 32 to force the head or form downward into the bight and thereby stretch the sheet material into conformity therewith. An apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. (5 has been successfully employed in carrying out the herein described method prior to the development of the preferred form of apparatus herein before described.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a modification of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6. In this construction the head or form is stationariiy supported upon the base 29. The section 36 of material to be operated upon extends across the top of the form or head and its opposite sides are clamped in suitable clamps or jaws 38 carried by pressure screws 39 engaged with the head girders 31. By the adjustment of the pressure screw 39 the sheet metal section 36 is set or tensioned over the form or head 33 by forcing the clamping bars or jaws 38 downward and carrying the opposite sides or ends of the section of sheet metal therewith.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportion, detail construction, or arrangement of parts without departing from the princi ple involved or sacrificing any of its advan tages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to certain structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific details but that the means herein described comprise but one mode of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed broadly in any of its possible forms or modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a

contoured form corresponding with the interior of the article to be produced, independent holding means located on opposite sides of the form adapted to independently engage the opposite sides of a section of ma terial extending across the contoured form, and means for relatively moving the holding means and form to stretch the material into conformity with the contoured form.

2. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, independent means for firmly holding the op posite edges of the sheet of material to be operated upon, a contoured head substan tially corresponding with the interior of the article to be produced engaging the sheet of material between the holding means, and means for placing the sheet of material under tension to stretch the material thereof substantially into conformity with the contour of the head.

3. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a contoured head substantially corresponding with the inteior of the article to be produced, separate grippers located on opposite sides of the contoured head adapted to firmly secure the opposite sides of a sheet of material extending across the contoured head, and means for relatively moving the grippers and head to place the sheet material under tension to stretch the sheet material substantially into conformity with the head.

4. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a reciprocatory ram, separate grippers located on opposite sides of the ram and engaging opposite ends of a sheet of metal, a contoured head carried by the ram, and means to reciprocate the ram to stretch a sheet of metal extending between the grippers substantially into conformity with the contoured head.

5. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a contoured forming head, laterally movable gripper members located on opposite sides of the head and adapted to engage the pposite sides of a section of material extending across the head, and means to move the gripper members to and from each other, substantially as specified.

6. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a contoured forming head, gripper members located on opposite sides of the head and adapted to engage the opposite sides of a section of material extending acrossthe head, and means to move the gripper members to different angular positions in relation one with the other.

7. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a contoured head, laterally movable gripper members located on opposite sides of the head and adapted to engage opposite sides of a section of material extending across the head, and means to independently adjust the opposite ends of the gripper members laterally to and from the head.

8. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a contoured head, laterally movable gripper members located on opposite sides of the head and adapted to engage opposite sides of a section of material extending across the head, and means to independently adjust the said gripper members later lly to and from the head.

9. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a reciprocatory forming ram, laterally movable gripper members located at opposite sides of the ram adapted to engage opposite sides of a section of material extending across the ram, and means for causing the grippers to move laterally one toward the other in unison with the movement of the ram.

10. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a reciprocatory forming ram, laterally movable gripper members located at opposite sides of the ram adapted to engage opposite sides of a section of material extending across the ram, and an operative connection between the ram and grippers whereby the ram is permitted an initial movement independent of the grippers and upon further movement of the rain the grippers will be moved laterally in unison therewith.

11. In a sneet metal forming ilDllili'ilidlS, a reciprocatory forming rain, gripper members located at opposite sides oi the ram adapted to engage opposite sides of a section of material extending across the rain, and means for moving the gripper members at substantially right angles to the direction or" movement of the ram simultaneously therewith.

12. In a sheet metal forming apparains, a forming head, gripper members located on opposite sides of the head and adapted to engage a sheet of material extending across the head, swivel heads 011 opposite ends of the gripper members, and adjusting elements.

connected with the swivel heads whereby the gripper members and adjusting elements may assume dili'erent angular positions in relation one with the other.

In a sheetmetal forming apparatus, a rcciprocatory ram, laterally mo cable gripper members located on opposite sides of the ram, and toggle linlzs connecting the gripper members one with the other and operated by LllG movement of the ram to cause said gripper members to more alternately to and from each other.

ll. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a reciprocatory ram, laterally movable gripper members located on opposite sides of tie ram, toggle links connected with the pp er members, a head slidingly cormected Mhh the ram to which the toggle links are attached, and adjustable means carried by the ram-for engaging the sliding head and moving same in unison therewith.

15. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a reciprocatory ram, laterally movable gripper nembers located on opposite sides of the and adjustable toggle connections becn the gripper members and the ram.

16. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a reciprocatory ram, laterally movable gripnen'ibers located on opposite sides of ne ram, adjustment screws engaging the ppers and attached to the ram whereby we grippers are capable of lateral adjust ment independent of the rain but are moved in unison therewith, substantially as specilied.

17. In sheet metal forming apparatus, a reciprocatory ram, laterally movable grippers for the material operated upon and actuating connections between the grippers and the ram whereby said grippers will be automatically shifted laterally in unison with the longitudinal movement of the ram.

18. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a reciprocatory ram, laterally movable grippers for the material operated upon actuated by the movement of the ram, and means to adjust said grippers laterally independent of the ram.

19. In a sheet metal forming apparatus, a reciprocatory ram, laterally movable grippers for the material operated upon and an actuating connection between the grippers and the ram, and means for initially moving the ram independent of the grippers and thereafter moving the grippers laterally in unison with the further movement of the ram.

20. In an apparatus for forming articles from sheet material without the use of a matrix comprising a forming head conforming to the interior of the article to be formed across which the material operated upon is extended, holding means for the marginal portions of the sheet material, and means for producing an operative movement of the holding means and forming head in relation one with the other to stretch the sheet material into conformity with said head.

21. In an apparatus for forming articles from sheet material without the use of a matrix comprising a forming head conforming to the interior of the article to be formed across which the material operated upon is extended, holding means for the marginal portions of the sheet material closed and opened to engage and release the material operated upon independent of the relative movement of the head and holding means, and means for producing an operative movement of said head. and holding means in relation one with the other to stretch the material into conformity with the forming head.

22. In an apparatus for forming articles from sheet material without the use of a matrix comprising a forming head conforming to the interior of the article to be formed across which the material operated upon is extended, holding means for the marginal portions of the sheet material, means for shifting said holding means laterally while engaged with the material, and means for producing an operative movement of the holding means and forming head in relation one with the other to stretch the material into conformity with the head.

23. In an apparatus for forming articles from sheet material without the use of a matrix comprising a forming head conforming to the interior of the article to be formed across which the material operated upon is extended, holding means for the marginal portions of the sheet material, and means for automatically shifting the holding means laterally by a relative movement of the head and holding means, and means to produce such relative movement to stretch the material into conformity with the head.

24. In an apparatus for forming articles from sheet material without the use of a matrix comprising a forming head conforming to the interior of the article to be formed across which the material operated upon is extended, holding means for the marginal portions of the sheet material, and means for shifting the holding means laterally independent of the operative movement of the head and holding means in relation one with the other.

525. In an apparatus for forming articles from sheet material without the use of a matrix comprising a forming head conforming to the interior of the article to be formed across which the material operated upon is extended, holding means for the marginal portions of the sheet material, means for producing an initial operative movement of the head and holding means in relation one with the other independent of any lateral movement of the holding means, and to subsequently move the holding means laterally in unison with the relative movement of the head and holding means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of May A. D. 1915.

JOHN DUDLEY ARTZ.

Witnesses:

HARRY F. NOLAN, CARRIE M. RECKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.