US2638142A - Bending machine having oscillating anvil die and reciprocable ironing die - Google Patents

Description

May 12, 1953 GREEN 2,638,142

BENDING MACHINE HAVING OSCILLATING ANVIL DIE AND RECIPROCABLE IRONING DIE Filed Feb. 14, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Q @fiMe 3 69:5:

ArmeNe'ys k May 12, 1953 B. GREEN 2,638,142

BENDING MACHINE HAVING OSCILLATING ANVIL DIE AND RECIPROCABLE IRONING DIE Filed Feb. 14, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 we 3 g m Q v l M INVENTOR. n

V Arne/says L. B. GREEN May 12, 1953 2,638,142 BENDING MACHINE HAVING OSCILLATING ANVIL DIE AND RECIPROCABLE IRONING DIE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 14, 1951 INVENTOR.

5. GREEN I I I I I I l v||||P||||||lr 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INIVENTOR. A55 5. GREEN May 12, 1953 L. B. GREEN I BENDING MACHINE HAVING OSCILLATING ANVIL DIE AND RECIPROCABLE mourns DIE Filed Feb. 14. 1951 gem M @wdq May 12, 1953 L. B. GREEN 2,633,142

7 BENDING MACHINE HAVING OSCILLATING ANVIL DIE AND RECIPROCABLE IRONING DIE Filed Feb. 14, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 M iii (i l INVENTOR. 55 5. Gees/Y Y mafawwd'vwmw Arron/vans Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BENDING MACHINE HAVING OSCILLATING ANVIL DIE AND RECIPROCABLE IRONING DIE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to bending machines of the kind which carry out bending operations on metal workpieces, and particularly on workpieces having web and flange portions, and wherein the web portion is bent out of its own plane and the flange portion is bent within its own plane without wrinkling or buckling.

The bending machines of this kind which have been devised heretofore have accomplished generally satisfactory results but this applicant has recognized that room for further improvement existed with respect to the provision of a differ ent and more satisfactory die means and with respect to a form of bending machine having a more rapid rate of production.

As one of its objects, the present invention accordingly provides an improved bending machine of the character mentioned above in which the novel die means comprises an ironing die mem ber adapted for rectilinear translatory movement and an anvil die member having rocking cooperation with the ironing die member during the rectilinear translatory movement thereof and around which anvil die member the workpiece is bent by such rocking cooperation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved bending machine of this character wherein the frame of the machine has a guideway thereon along which the ironing die member is movable in an edgewise or endwise direction;

A further object is to provide an improved bending machine of the character referred to in which the frame of the machine has a second :guideway thereon extending in a direction substantially normal to the first guideway and carrier means for the anvil die member is movable along the second guideway for causing opening and closing of the anvil die member relative to the ironing die member.

As still another object, this invention provides an improved bending machine of the kind mentioned above in which the carrier means on the second guideway includes a pivoted support or face plate for the anvil die member by which the rocking cooperation of this die member with the ironing die member is obtained.

Yet another object is to provide an improved bending machine of this character in which a much more rapidrate of production is obtainable by reason of the fact that the die members are adapted to cause the bending of a workpiece during each half cycle of die operation such that two fully formed workpieces are produced for each complete cycle of the machine,

Another object is to provide an improved bending machine of the kind above referred to in which the second guideway is located adjacent the midpoint of the first guideway such that the rocking cooperation of the anvil die member and the ironing die member in moving from an initial die position to a second die position accomplishes the complete bendin operation on one workpiece, and the rocking cooperation of these die members in moving from such second die position back to the initial die position accomplishes the complete bending operation on a second workpiece.

As a further object this invention provides an improved bending machine of the character mentioned in which control means, preferably a braking means, for the ironing die member is effective to control the rate and direction of the movement thereof during the bending operation.

This invention also provides a novel arrangement of work gripping devices, preferably of the electromagnetic type, in association with the above-mentioned anvil and ironing die memhere.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved construction for a bending machine of the kind here under consideration in which the anvil die member is non-symmetrical having, for example, a convex die surface of progressively varying curvature.

It is likewise an object of this invention to provide a bending machine having the characteristics mentioned above and in which a stretching of the workpiece is accomplished simultaneously with the bending thereof.

The invention can be further briefly summarized as consisting in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and particularly set out in the claims hereof.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings,

Fig. l is a front elevationof a bending machine embodying the present invention but showing the machine with a portion thereof broken away and with the anvil and ironing die members and the hydraulic pumping unit omitted;

Fig. 2 is a partial plan view of the machine showing the same with the anvil and ironing die members and the hydraulic pumping unit omitted;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the machine substantially as indicated by section line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is another front elevation showing the is improved, bending machine complete with anvil and ironing die members;

Fig. is another plan view showing the machine complete with anvil and ironing di members;

Fig. 6 is a left end View of the complete machine of Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a larger scale transverse sectional detail view corresponding with a portion of Fig. 3 and further illustrating the ironing die member and the supporting and control means therefor;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation showing one form of workpiece on which bending operations can be performed by this improved machine;

Fig. 9 is an end View of the workpiece;

Fig. 10 is an elevation showing an article produced by the bending operation which is carried out on the workpiece of Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig. 11 is a partial vertical section taken through one of the electromagnetic work gripping devices substantially as indicated by section line ll--H of Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional detail taken through the head of the anvil die member as indicated by section line l2 l2 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of a modified form of the improved bending machine;

Fig. 14 is a partial vertical section taken through the modified machine, as indicated by section line ld-ld of Fig. 13; and

Figs. 15 and 15 are side and end views, respectively, showing one form of workpiece on which bending operations can be performed by the modified bending machine.

The embodiment of the improved bending machine H! which is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive comprises, in general, a main frame H and a pair of cooperating die members consisting of an ironing die member l2 supported on the frame for translatory rectilinear movement and an anvil die member 53 supported on the frame for opening and closing movements relative to the ironing die member and also for swinging movement in rocking cooperation with the ironing die member during the translator-y movement of the latter.

The cooperating die members !2 and I3 carry out a bending operation on an elongated longitudinally flanged metal workpiece lid received therebetween. Although the improved bending machine Id can be used for carrying out bending operations on a great variety of different workpieces, the workpiece Id here shown by way of example is an elongated sheet metal body having a substantially flat web portion Ma and longitudinal edge flanges l lb. As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, the bending operation converts the elongated workpiece l 4 into a substantially U-shaped housing member or cabinet section id, as shown in Fig. 10, and which can be used to form a portion of the bone-- ing or cabinet of an electric refrigerator, or for any other desired use.

As shown in Fig. 10, the cabinet section l5 has substantially parallel side portions lira and 55b which are formed by the end portions of the workpiece i i, and. also has an end or top portion lfc connecting the parallel side portions 15a and l5b and formed by the intermediate portion of the workpiece. The bending operation carried out by the improved machine H0 in producing the cabinet section l5 from the workpiece M makes two relatively small radius bends Mia and 16b in the workpiece at longitudinally spaced points. These bends are shown in Fig. 10 in which the bend lta forms the junction between the portions Wu and I50 of the cabinet section !5 and the bend lEb forms the junction between the portions 15b and I50 of this cabinet section.

Depending upon the shape desired for the final product in which the cabinet section 15 is used, the end or top portion 550' can be a flat portion or can be given a longitudinally bowed shape forming an arch extending between and connecting the bends 16a and M51), as shown in Fig. 10.

The formation of the bends llia and lfib in the workpiece l4, and the bending of the workpiece to produce the longitudinally bowed condition of the end portion I50, are carried out smoothly and rapidly by this improved machine during which the webportion Ma of the workpiece is bent out of its own plane and the marginal longitudinal flanges lib are bent within their own planes without having any wrinkling or buckling occur therein and without requiring any preparatory notchingor cutting of these flanges.

The main frame I l of the bending machine l0 comprisesalaterally elongated front frame member it adapted to stand on a supporting floor or foundation i9 and an upright rear frame member 26 also adapted to stand 'on the floor or foundation iii and located in the rear of, but

closely adjacent to,'the front frame member and substantially opposite the intermediate portion of the latter. The front frame member 18 is of a hollow box-like form having upright end walls 2i and spaced upright front and rear . walls 22 and 23. The front frame member I 8 is also provided adjacent the ends tlrereofwith substantiallyhorizontally disposed top walls or table portions 2d and 25. The table portions '24 and 25 extend longitudinally of the frontframe member 58 and are in aligned relation with each other, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The inner or adjacentends of the table portions .24 and 25 are spaced apart a substantial distance, as shown in Fig. 2, leaving a center opening 26 in the intermediate portion of the front frame member 53 and substantially opposite the upright rear frame member 26.

The rear frame member 20 extends in an upright relation behind the intermediate portion of the front frame member 18, as mentioned above and as shown in the drawings, and is in the form of a rigid unitary hollow member having spaced upright full-#height side walls and Zllb and a vertical space or passage 2'! therein between these side walls. The rear frame member 26 is also provided, for a portion of its height, with an upright front wall 28 which extends between and connects the upright side walls 20a and 2%. As shown in Fig. 2, the rear frame member 20 is connected with the front frame member l8 by having its upright partial front wall 28 connected to the upright rear wall 23 of the front frame member as by means of the screws 29.

The rear frame member A l is also connected with the front frame member It at longitudinally spaced points of the latter by'means of the laterally and forwardly projecting connecting brackets 30 and 3t of this rear frame member. These connecting brackets have their inner or adjacent ends integrally connected with the upright side walls 28a and 20b of the rear frame member 20 and have their front or outer ends connected with the. upright rear wall 23 of the front frame member t8 as by means of the screws 32. As shown in Fig. 6, the bracket 30 comprises. a; pair of vertically spaced substanas will be further explained hereinafter.

tially horizontal upper and lower webs 30a and 30b and an upright front wall 30c extending between and connecting the webs and through which front wall the screws 32 extend. Similarly, the bracket 3| comprises horizontal Webs 3Ia and 3Ib and a vertical front wall 3Ic connecting these webs.

The front frame member I8 is provided with a longitudinally extending guideway 33 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 7) along which the ironing die member I2 is movable with endwise rectilinear movement, This longitudinal guideway is formed by a pair of front and rear guide rails 34 and 35 which are preferably formed integral with the front frame member I8 and extend longitudinally thereon above the front and rear upright walls 22 and 23. These guide rails are of a length such that they span the center opening 23 of the front frame member I8 with their ends extending for some distance along the table portions 24 and 25, as shown in Fig. 2.

The guide rails 34 and 35 have longitudinally extending recesses or rabbets 34c and 35a formed in their adjacent edges which define the front and rear edges of the guideway 33. The guide rails 34 and 35 are provided with longitudinal cover strips 36 and 31 which are secured thereto by suitable screws 38 and which overhang the recesses 34a and 350., as shown in Fig. 6.

An ironing die carrier 39 (see Figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7) having the ironing die member l2 mounted thereon is movable in the longitudinal guideway 33 of the front frame member I8. The

ironing die carrier 33 is here shown as comprising an elongated substantially fiat metal plate having longitudinal edge flanges 39a and 392: along its front and rear edges and which flanges are slidable in the guide recesses 34a and 35a of the guide rails 34 and 35 and are retained in these guide recesses by the cover strips 36 and 31. For a purpose to be explained hereinafter the ironing die carrier 39 is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending racks 40 and 4| on the underside thereof and located adjacent the front and rear edge flanges 33a and 33b.

The ironing die member i 2 is an elongated channel-shaped die member (see Figs. 6 and 7) which is bolted or otherwise secured to the top face of the ironing die carrier 39. In this instance the ironing die member I2 is formed by a plurality of connected sections comprising a substantially fiat intermediate plate member I2a and a pair of longitudinal side members I21) and I20 extending along and connected to the front and rear edges of the intermediate plate member. The upper longitudinal portions of the side members i212 and I20 cooperate with the plate member I2a in defining the longitudinal channel recess of the ironing die member I2 in which the workpiece I4 is received. These upper portions of the longitudinal side members I2b and I2c are preferably provided with hardened flat longitudinai wear strips 42. secured against their inner faces and which cooperate with and confine the flanges I4b of the workpiec during the bending operation.

The endwise longitudinal rectilinear movement of the bending die member I2 and the bending die carrier 39 takes place between a pair of stops 43 and 44 mounted on the table portions 24 and 25 of the front frame member I8 and extending transversely of these table portions. The anvil die stops 43 and 44 are here shown as being in the form of channel-shaped bars which are secured to the table portions 24 and 25 by bolts 45, or the like, extending through one of the side flanges of the bars. The workpiece I4 is usually of a greater length than the ironing die member I2 such that its end portions project beyond the ends of this die member and, in which case, the stops 43 and 44 also serve as supports for these projecting end portions of the workpiece.

For locating and holding the workpiece or workpieces in proper position in the machine, the front frame member I8 is provided at opposite ends thereof with a pair of work supports 46 and 41 (see Figs. 1, 4 and 5). These work supports are here shown as being in the form of brackets secured to the outer ends of the table portions 24 and 25 by bolts 48, or the like, and having straight fiat portions 43a and 41a whose upper surfaces lie substantially in the same horizontal plane as the top surface of the plate section In of the ironing die member I2.

These straight fiat portions 46a and Mia of the work supports 46 and 41 receive and support the outer ends of the workpieces I4 when such workpieces are received in the channel recess of the ironing die member I2. Hook-shaped locating fingers 46b and 411) are provided on the work supports 46 and 4'! and form stops against which the outer ends of the workpieces are adapted to be abutted. These locating fingers have adjustable connection with the work supports 46 and 41 which permits the fingers to be shifted in or out relative to the work supports and to be clamped in the desired position of adjustment.

The anvil die member I3 comprises a frame or body 49 (see Figs. 4 and 5) and a convexly curved head 50 secured to such frame at one end thereof. The convexly curved head 53 comprises spaced end portions 53a and 50b having a relatively short radius of curvature and an intermediate or con necting portion 530 which extends between and merges smoothly into the curved end portions 50a and 53b and which is convexly bowed to a much larger radius of curvature than the end portions. The radius of curvature of the intermediate portion 500 corresponds with the relatively long radius of curvature which is formed on the connecting portion I5c of the cabinet section I5 being produced. The head 50 is preferably also provided with inset hardened wear strips SI and 52 along its longitudinal side edges which are of an angular cross-sectional shape, as shown in Fig. 12, and at their ends have a convex curvature corresponding with the convex curvature of the end portions 50a and 53b of the head.

The frame 49 of the anvil die member I3 can be an open structure having parallel sides 49a, and 4% connected by end bars 53 and 54. The frame 49 also comprises a filler portion or block 55 disposed between the end bar 53 and the head 50 and by which the head is connected with the frame 49. The head 53 of the anvil die member I3 is of a width such that it will be received between the flanges I421 of the workpiece I4 and will hold these flanges firmly against the upright wear strips 42 of the ironing die member I2.

The anvil die member I 3 is mounted on the rear frame member 23 so as to be capable of translatory closing and opening movement relative to the ironing die member I2 for clamping or releasing the workpiece Id. The anvil die member I3 .is also mounted on the rear frame member 20 so as to be capable of a swinging movement for rocking cooperation with the ironing die member I2 substantially simultaneously with the endwise rectilinear movement of the latter. I

To provide for such an opening and clos n movement of the anvil die member is, as well as such a swinging movement thereof, a mounting means is employed for this die member comprising a carrier or slide it reciprocably movable in the upright passage 2'! of the rear frame member 26 and a support bl which is pivotally connected with the carrier 56 so as to be capable of a pivoted or oscillating movement. The carrier 56 comprises a vertically elongated unitary rigid body of a generally square cross-sectional shape which is reciprocably movable in an endwise direction in the passage 27 of the rear frame member 28.

The side walls Ella and 20b of the rear frame member 2b are provided along their upright front edges with a pair of laterally spaced upright guide rails 58 and 59 containing recesses or rabbets 58a and 59a defining an upright guideway for the carrier 56. This guideway is also formed, in part, by cover strips 60 and EH which are secured to the guide rails 53 and 59 as by means of the screws 62. The cover strips 66 and 6! are her shown as having hardened wear strips 53 secured against the inner faces thereof as by the screws 6d. The carrier 58 is provided at the front there of with a solid plate portion 56a whose upright side edges are slidable in the guide recesses and 59a and are retained therein by the cover strips til and BI.

The support is here shown as comprising a vertical face plate Or disk which is mounted on the carrier 56 at the front thereof and in substantially parallel relation to the plate portion 56a by means of a laterally extending rockshaft 5b. The support 57 has a substantially flat front face 57a which is provided with one or more dovetail slots ill. The anvil die member is is secured to the flat front face 51a of the support as by means of a hollow mounting bracket having a rear flange 68a and an upright front wall 6%. The mounting bracket 58 is secured to the support 5? by means of screws til, or the like, extending through the rear flange 68a, and the anvil die member i3 is secured to the mounting bracket by mean of screws it, or the like, extending through the front wall $827 of the bracket and em gaging the frame lu and the filler block 55.

As shown in Fig. 3, the carrier 56 is provided at an intermediate point of its height with a tube portion or sleeve ll extending rearwardly from the front Wall Ell-a. The rockshaft (it is mounted in the sleeve M by suitable bushings l2 and i3 and has a reduced front end portion i i which extends into a substantially central opening of the support 5i and to'which the support is keyed or otherwise connected for rotation with this rockshaft.

At the rear thereof the carrier 56 is provided with an upright fiat plate "it which is secured thereto as by means of screws ll, or the like. The carrier 56 also includes an elongated upright guide member it which, in this instance, is a separate part secured to the rear plate l'o as by means of screws '53, or the like. The guide member "i8 is provided with a channel-shaped upright longitudinal guideway 80 in which a slide 8! is reciprocably movable and carries a rack 82. The guideway 88 is formed, in part, by cover strips 83 secured to the guide member by mean of screws til and which retain the slide 3i in the guidcway 8B.

As shown in Fig. 3, the rear plate it of the carrier 5B is provided with an opening (to and the rockshaft 6b is provided. with a reduced shaft portion which projects rearwardly from the carrier and extends through this opening. The guide member F8 is connected with the rear plate 56 so as to be located adjacent the shaft extension 35, but to the right thereof as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. A gear at mounted in fixed relation on the shaft extension 85 meshes with the rack 82 to be driven thereby. The meshing engagement of the gear 86 with the rack 32 takes place through a slot 81 formed in the uide member 78 at a point opposite the shaft extension 35.

The above-mentioned rocking cooperation of the anvil die member is with the ironing die member I2 is produced by swinging of the anvil die member about the axis of the rockshaft 68 and this swinging of the anvil die member is produced by actuation of the rockshaft. Rocking movement is imparted to the shaft 66 by reciprocation of the rack 802 in meshing engagement with the gear 85.

For actuation of the rack 82 a power cylinder Bil, preferably a hydraulic cylinder, is provided on the carrier 55 and in this instance is shown located in upright relation adjacent the guide member it. The cylinder 8?! is a double-acting cylinder having its lower end connected with a bracket til projecting rearwardly from the rear plate it of the carrier 56. A piston (not shown) operable in the cylinder is connected with a piston rod which projects from the upper end of the cylinder and is connected with a projecting lug 92 of the slide Bi. As shown in Fig. 6, sheet metal guards 86a and title can be provided on the back of the machine for the gear 86 and for the lower ends of the guide member it and the rack 82.

From the construction above described it will be seen that when hydraulic pressure fluid is supplied to one end of the cylinder 89, for example the lower end, the rack 32 will be moved upwardly to cause actuation of the rockshaft 56 and swinging of the anvil die member [3 in a counterclockwise direction. When hydraulic pressure fluid is supplied to the upper end of cylinder 89, the rack 82 will be moved downwardly to thereby actuate the rockshaft 8t and cause a clockwise swingin movement of the anvil die member l3.

The above-mentioned closing and opening movements of the anvil die member 13 relative to the ironing die member ii. are produced by downward and upward movements of the carrier 5b in the guideway of therear frame member 2a. For producing such movements of the carrier 5d, a power cylinder Q3, preferably a hydraulic cylinder, is provided in upright relation in the rear frame member 26 as shown in Figs. 3 and 6. The lower end of the cylinder 93 is connected in fixed relation with the lower portion of the rear frame member 2t. A piston 93a operable in the cylinder 93 (see Fig. .1) is connected with a piston rod 9d which projects from the upper end of the cylinder. The upper end of the piston rod 5 is provided with a threaded portion Side by which this end of the rod is connected in relation to the sleeve H of the carrier 56.

From the arrangement just described above, it will be seen that when hydraulic pressure fluid is supplied to the lower end of the cylinder 93 the carrier 56 will be moved upwardly to cause opening movement of the anvil die member it relative to the ironing die member IE to permit the insertion of a workpiece it therebetween and removal of the cabinet section It resulting from the bending operation performed on the work the workpiece I4 between these die members in preparation for and during the bending operation.

As explained above, the ironing die carrier 39 is slidable in the guideway 33 of the front frame member I3 and is movable back and forth across the center opening 20 of the front frame member. For also supporting the ironing die carrier 30 and absorbing the thrust of the anvil die member I3, the front frame member I8 is pro. vided with a group of rolls located in the opening 20 and extending between the front and rear walls 22 and 23 of the front frame member I8. In

this instance this group of rolls comprise three idler rolls 05a and a roll 95b which is adapted to be driven or have its rotation controlled, as hereinafter explained. During this reciprocating movement of the ironing die carrier 30, the racks 00 and 0| thereof are accommodated by front and rear longitudinal clearance grooves 94a and 94b formed in the table portions 24 and 25.

The roll 95?) and each of the rolls 05a are provided with reduced front and rear end shaft portions 00 and 91 which are journaled in suitable front and rear bearings 90 and 09 carried by the front and rear walls 22 and 23 of the front frame member I8. The roll 95b is also provided with a pair of front and rear gears I00 and IOI which are secured in fixed relation on the reduced front and rear end shaft portions 90 and 91 of these rolls. The gears I00 and IOI are continuously in meshing engagement with the front and rear racks 40 and ll of the ironing die carrier 30.

The bodies of the rolls 95 are of a smooth cylindrical shape and have rolling engagement with the flat lower surface I02 of the ironing die carrier 39. The cylindrical bodies of the rolls 95 form an anti-friction support for the ironing die carrier 30 and particularly for the portion of the ironing die carrier to which a heavy downward clampin force is being applied by the anvil die member I3. In addition to providing an antifriction support for the anvil die carrier, the rolls 95 prevent downward deflection of the anvil die member- I2, and the meshing engagement of the front and rear gear members I00 and IOI of the roll 05?) with the front and rear racks 40 and 0| of the ironing die carrier 39 prevents misalignment or skewing of the ironing die carrier during its endwise movement in the guideway 33 of the front frame member I8.

For controlling the endwise movement of the anvil die member I2, the roll 95b is constructed with a front shaft extension I03 having a gear I04 mounted in fixed relation thereon and the front frame member I0 is provided with a movable rack I05 having meshing engagement with this gear, The rack I05 is reciprocably slidable in a guideway I06 formedby the longitudinal channel-shaped recess of an elongated bracket or guide rail I01 which is secured to the front wall 22 of the front frame member I8 by means of screws I00, or the like.

The rack I05 is sometimes actuated by a double-acting power cylinder I09, preferably a hydraulic cylinder. One end of the cylinder I09 is anchored on the front frame member I8 by means ofthe bracket I I0. A piston (not shown) reciprocably operable in the cylinder I09 is con- 10 nected with a piston rod I I I which projects from the other end of the cylinder and is attached to the adjacent end of the rack I05.

The rocking cooperation of the anvil die member I3 with the ironing die member I2 during the bending operation on the workpiece It tends to cause translatory movement of the ironing die member along the guideway 33. By controlling the rate at which pressure fluid is released from the cylinder I00, the axial movement of the rack I05 can be controlled so as to cause the gear I04 and the gears I00 and IOI of the roll b to resist this translatory movement of the ironing die member I2. The controlled release of pressure fluid from the left-hand end of the cylinder I09 will produce a holding or braking force resisting translatory movement of the ironing die member toward the right and, conversely, the controlled release of pressure fluid from the 'righthand end of the cylinder will produce a holding or braking force resisting translatory movement of the ironing die member toward the left. Such a braking action on the translatory movement of the ironing die member is desirable because it increases the effectiveness of the ironing function of the die member I2 on the workpiece I4 and also causes the workpiece to be subjected to a drawing or stretching action during the bending thereof by which the workpiece is made to conform more smoothly and accurately to the convex contour of the anvil die member with minimum spring back effect.

If desired, the cylinder I09 can also be used to cause a positive actuation of the ironing die member I2 in either direction during the bending operation. Thus, if a'positive movement of the ironing die member I2 toward the right is desired, pressure fluid would be supplied to the right-hand end of the cylinder I09 to apply a positive actuating force to the ironing die carrier 39 through the rack I05 and through the gears I04, I00 and NI of the driven roll 95b. Similarly, if a positive movement of the ironing die member I2 toward the left is desired, pressure fluid would be supplied to the left-hand end of the cylinder I09. Such a positive actuation of the ironing die member will increase or decrease the stretching action being produced on the workpiece during the bending thereof, depending upon the direction and magnitude of the force applied to the rack I05.

The improved bending machine I0 is provided with work gripping devices which are associated with the ironing die member I2 and with the anvil die member I3 and are adapted to grip the workpiece I4 during the bending operation thereon. Although any one of various kinds of work gripping devices could be used, the gripping devices here shown, and which will now be described, are of the electromagnetic type.

The work gripping devices associated with the ironing die member I2 consist of two groups of electromagnetic grippers or chucks H3 and II4 mounted on the ironing die carrier 30 adjacent the opposite ends thereof. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the group II3 comprises a row of electromagnetic chucks II3a, in this instance five such chucks, extending across the ironing die carrier 39 at or closely adjacent the left-hand;

end thereof. The group IM comprises a similar row of electromagnetic chucks Il la extending across the ironing die carrier 30 at or closely adjacent its right-hand end. Suitable energizing circuits and control switch means (not 11 shown) are provided by which the groups of magnetic chucks i it and Hi can be energized and deenergized independently of each other. e v The work gripping devices associated with the anvil die member 13 consist of two groups of electromagnetic grippers or chucks mounted in longitudinally spaced relation on each side of the anvil die member. The chucks provided on the lower side of the anvil die member [3 as seen in Fig. 4 consist of the groups H5 and H6 and the chucks provided on the opposite side of the: anvil die member consist of the groups H1 and I I8. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, each of the chuck groups H5, H6, H1 and H8 of the anvil die member I3 consists of four individual electromagnetic chucks disposed in a row extending transversely of the anvil die member. The individual chucks of these groups are designated, respectively, H5a, Hfia, H111 and HM. Suitable energizing circuits and control switch means (not shown) are provided by which the chuck groups H5 and H6 can be energized and deenergized independently of the chuck groups Hi and H8.

individual electromagnetic chucks employed the various groups H3 to H8 identified above can be of any suitable construction such as that illustrated in Fig. 11. As shown in view, these electromagnetic chucks may consist of a central core means I29 including a pair of pole members J2! and 1-22, and an energizing winding or coil [23 located between the pole members and disposed around the core means I20. These individual electromagnetic chucks are mounted on the ironing die carrier 39 and the anvildie membei 13 such that the pole members I22 thereof will be exposed for engagement by the workpiece Hi and, when the chucks of the various groups are electrically energized, they will exert a strong magnetic pull on the workpiece which will result in the workpiece being held in afirm1y gripped relation.

The improved bending machine It is also provided with hydraulic pressure generating mechanism 124 for supplying actuating fluid to the cylinders 89-, 93 and IE9; This hydraulic mechanism is here shown as comprising a reservoir IZEadapted to contain a supply of oil, or other suitable liquid, and a suitable pump located in the reservoir and connected with an electric motor 126 to be driven thereby.

The detailed operation of the improvedbending machine it will now be described. Let it be assumed, first, that theironing die member 42 is inra position adjacent the left-hand end of the front frame member it and the anvil die member 13 is ina position above the right- -hand end of the front frame member, as shown in Fig. 4, but

with the anvil die member in an elevated or open position relative to the ironing die member. In this position of these die members the head 50 of the anvil die member 53 overlaps the adjacent end of the ironing die member i2. v

A first workpiece Hi is now inserted into the machine between the anvil die member 23 and the ironing die member i2 and is supported on the latter die member in the position shown in 4. In this position the workpiece i i is also supported partially by the stops it and M- and is located longitudinally of the ironing die member 12 by the abutting engagement of the left hand end of the workpiece with the hook-shaped stop 46b of the work support Qt. In this position the workpiece also overlies the groups i i3 and H t of the electromagnetic chucks of the ironing die member. The chucks of the'group H3 are now 12 energized to grip the left-hand end of the workpiece i 4 and attach the same to the left-hand end of the ironing die carrier 39.

By supplying pressure fluid to the upper end of the cylinder 93, the carrier 56 is now moved downwardly to cause closing of the anvil die member 13 relative to the ironing die member l2 for clamping the workpiece M therebetween. The positions of the ironing die member 12 and the anvil die member it at this time are the full line positions shown in Fig. (i and which can be conveniently referred to as their initial position. While the anvil die member i3 is in this'initial position the right-hand end of the workpiece I4 extends across the magnetic chucks of the groups i 55 and I it. The chucks of these groups are now electrically energized to grip the right-hand end of the workpiece and connect the same with the anvil die member such that the workpiece can be wrapped around the anvil die member during the rocking cooperation of the latter with the ironing die member i2.

Fressure fluid is now supplied to the lower end of the cylinder 8%} to cause the rockshaft 3'6 and the support 5! to swing the anvil member l3 in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 4, through a half cycle of movement by causing this die member to travel through the broken line position 57m to the broken line position 13b. The completion of this half cycle of swinging movement results in the anvil die member arriving at the broken line position [31) which can be conveniently referred to as the second position of the anvil die member. During this swinging of the anvil die member from its full line initial positionto the second position i313, the convexly curved head remains in continuous rocking engagement with th workpiece i i and the irondie member it causing the intermediate portion of the workpiece to be wrapped around the head of the anvil die member, as is shown for the dotted line position I to of the anvil die memher. In the case of an anvil die member, such as the anvil die member 83, whose work-engaging convex surface is not concentric as to all portions thereof with the'axis oi the pivot shaft '66, the carrier 56 and the support 5? move up anddown, is permitted by the power cylinder 93, during rocking of such convex surface of the anvil die member on the workpiece. During this bending operation the ironing die member 12 moves in an endwise direction longitudinally of the guideway that is to say toward the right as seen in Fig. 4, and at the completion of the bending operation has arrived at what can be conveniently termed a second position above the right-hand end of the front frame member i3 and in engagement with the stop dd. During this endwise travel of the ironing di member I? the workpiece moves with it toward the right and away from the locating stop Mb of the work support Mia.

By the bending operation accomplished on the workpiece is during this rocking cooperation of the anvil die member it with the ironing die member 12, the workpiece is bent to the substantially U-shaped form of the cabinet section I5 shown in Fig. 10. During this bending operation the web i l-o of the workpiece is bent out of its own plane by the forming of the bends [Ga and itb and the flanges Mb are simultaneously bent within their own planes. The wear strips 42 of the ironing die member hold the flanges Mbof the workpiece against the wear strips 5'2. of the anvil die member and prevent',.wrink'ling or l3 buckling of these flanges during the formation of the bends Ita and I612.

While the ironing die member I2 and the anvil die member I3 remain in the second position de scribed above, the magnetic chucks of the groups H5 and H6 of the anvil die member I3 and the magnetic chucks of the group H3 of the ironing die member are deenergized. Pressure fluid is now supplied to the lower end of the cylinder 93 to cause the anvil die member :3 to be lifted or opened relative to the ironing die member I2. The cabinet section I5 resulting from the bending operation just performed on the first workpiece is now removed from the anvil die member I3 and a second workpiece Me is inserted between the anvil die member and the ironing die member so as to be supported on the latter with its righthand end in abutting engagement with the hookshaped stop 41b of the work support 41. The right-hand end of the workpiece I4c overlies the magnetic chucks of the group H0. The chucks of the group H4 are now electrically energized to grip the workpiece for attaching the same to the ironing die carrier 39.

Fluid pressure is now supplied to the upper end of the cylinder 93, causing the anvil die member I3 to be moved downwardly to a closed position relative to the ironing die member I2 for clamping the second workpiece I ic therebetween. When the anvil die member has been thus moved to its closed position it will occupy the abovementioned second position represented by the broken line position I3b of Fig. 4. At this time the magnetic chucks of the anvil die member which constitute the groups I ll and I I8 will also be in engagement with the workpiece Ito. The chucks of the groups H1 and H8 are now electrically energized to grip the second workpiece Me for attaching the same to the anvil die member.

By supplying pressure fluid to the upper end of the cylinder 89 the anvil die member I3 will be now swung in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 4, in rocking cooperation with the ironing die member I2 to carry out a similar bending operation on the second workpiece I lc. During this swinging movement the anvil die member I3 travels through a second half cycle from the second position l3?) through the broken line position I3a back to its initial full line position above the right-hand end of the front frame member I8. During this return swinging movement of the anvil die member I3, the ironing die member I2 likewise travels back from its second position to its initial full line position above the left-hand end of the front frame member I8 and in engagement with the stop 43.

When the anvil die member I3 and the ironing die member I2 have been thus returned to their initial positions, the magnetic chucks of the groups H4, II "I and I I8 are deenergized to release their gripping action on the workpiece. Pressure fluid is now supplied to the lower end of the cylinder 93 to again move the anvil die member to an open position, whereupon the cabinet section I5 resulting from the bending operation performed on the second workpiece I lc is removed from the anvil die member and the machine is then ready to begin another cycle of operation.

From the foregoing detailed description of the operation of the bending machine I0 it will be seen that each swinging movement of the anvil die member I3 in rocking cooperation with the ironing. die member I2, and the corresponding 14 endwise rectilinear movement of the ironing die member accomplishes a half cycle of the performance of the machine and results in a complete bending operation being performed on one workpiece. Similarly, the swinging movement of the anvil die member and the corresponding rectilinear movement of the ironing die member back to their initial positions accomplishes another half cycle of operation during which a complete bending operation is carried out on a second workpiece. It will therefore be seen that by each full cycle of operation of the ma-- chine, two complete bending operations are car ried out to produce two of the cabinet sections It in succession from two of the workpieces I4.

Diu'ing the carrying out of the bending operations just described above, pressure fluid is supplied to the cylinder I09 in timed relation to the operation of the die members I2 and I3 such that the rack I05 and the roller b driven thereby will cause either a positive actuation of the ironing die member or will cause a holding or braking action on the ironing die member, depending upon the requirements of the particular workpiece being operated upon and whether the pressure fluid supplied to the cylinder I09 is being used as an actuating medium or as a braking medium. The braking'action thus applied to the ironing die member I2 during the bending operation results in a more effective ironing action by this die member and in the workpiece being smoothly and accurately shaped around the convex contour of the anvil die member. A positive actuation of the ironing die member may be advantageous for certain workpieces and, if desired, can be in a direction op posite to that in which this die member normally tends to move during the bending operation, in which case the workpiece will be subjected to stretching simultaneously with the bending thereof.

In Figs. 13 and 14 of the drawings a modified bending machine I30 is shown which is generally similar to the bending machine I0 and is adapted to carry out a bending operation on a workpiece I3! so as to produce a bend of a progressively varying curvature and to also produce a stretching of the workpiece simultaneously with the bending thereof. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the workpiece I3I may be a fied machine I30 which are substantially the same as corresponding components of the machine II? have been designated by the same reference characters. The modified bending machine I30 also includes a carrier 56 adapted to be reciprocated in a guideway of the rear frame member 20 by a power cylinder 93, and a support or face plate 51 mounted on a rockshaft 66 which is journaled in the carrier 56. In this modified bending machine the rockshaft 66 is actuated in the same manner as in the bending machine l0, that is to say, by gearing which includes=a vertically movable rack 82 adapted to .be actuated by a power cylinder 89. This modified bending machine is also similar to the bending machine 10- in that it is provided with a group of supporting rolls 9d of which the rolls 9511 are idler rolls and the roll 95b is adapted to be driven or controlled through gearing which includes a rack Hi5 actuated by a power cylinder I09.

As shown in Figs. 13 and it, th modified bending machine it!) is provided with an elon-.

gated ironing die member 132 mounted on the ironing die carrier 39 for endwise reciprocating movement along the guideway The ironing die member H32 is here shown as being relatively narrow as compared with the ironing die member l2 and is in the form of a channel-shaped member having a longitudinal cherecess l32a defined between a pair of parallel flanges 1322b and adapted to receive the workpiec iLl.

For cooperation with the ironing die member I32, the bending machine 533 is provided with an anvil die member :33 which is also of a different form than the anvil die member !3 f the machine it. The anvil die member 133 is non-symmetrical and comprises a convexly curved body i3 1 and a convexiy curved rib 535 projecting from such body and engageable in the channel recess ISM of the ironing die member I32 for rocking cooperation with the latter. The convex curvature of the rib H35 is such that this rib comprises a portion i355; ci a relatively small radius of curvature and a portion 13% of a relatively large radius of curvature. The curvatures of the portions 53 5a and liitb merge smoothly with each other and ar preferably of a progressively varying value throughout the length of the rib I35 and may, for example, conform to the shape of an involute curve.

The anvil die member 533 is mounted on the support 51 as by means of the filler block ltd such that this anvil die member will be swung by the oscillating movement imparted to the support 5? by the rockshaft 66. When the workpiece I 3! has been placed in the ironing die member E32 and the anvil die member [33 has been moved to its closed position in clamping cooperation with the ironing die member and workpiece, as shown in Fig. -3, the machine is ready for carrying out the bending operation by a counterclockwise swinging of the anvil die member by movement supplied by the power cylinder 89.

During this counterclockwise swinging of the anvil die member, the rib ltd rocks in the channel-recess of the ironing die member i322, causing the workpiece to be wrapped around the convexly curved rib and to assume the same curvature as this rib. During this bending operation the web l3la of the workpiec is bent out of its own plane and the flanges iSlb are bent within their own planes and are held between the adjacent faces of the die members so that wrinkling or buckling of these flanges is prevented.

As shown in Fig. 13, the various surface portions of the top of the rib ltii are at varying radial distancesfrom the rotation axis E3! of the support 5i and during the rocking cooperation of the anvil die member lit with the ironing die member I32 the support bl is permitted to move upwardly as is indicated by the broken line positions 57a. During this upward movement of the anvil die member M3 the clamping pressure thereof against the workpiece l3i and the ironing die member it? is maintained by the power cylinder 93. The broken line position 16 B311 shows the location of the ironing die me1nber at the completion of the bending operation being carried out on the workpiec l3l.

In carrying out this bending operation it will be understood, of course, that the ironing die member 232 travels toward the right along the guideway 33 and that such movement can be controlled by the power cylinder lot. The control provided by the power cylinder it can be a positive actuation of the ironing die carrier in either direction or can be a braking action which resists movement of the ironing die member i222 during the bending operation. The control thus provided by the cylinder H323 for the movement of the ironing die member I32 during the bending operation permits this operation to be carried out so as to produce merely a simple bending of the workpiece lti, that is to say, a bending of the workpiec with substantially no longitudinal stretching thereof, or to be carried out so as to produce a longitudinal stretching of the workpiece during the bending thereof.

The modified bending machine ltil also differs from the bending machine it in regard to the work gripping means provided for gripping the workpiece iti. As shown in Fig. 13 the ironing die carrier is provided at the left end thereof with a mechanical gripping device or chuck its, in this instance a hydraulic chuck, which is adapted to grip the left-hand end of the workpiece. provided with a mechanical gripping device or chuck its, in this instance a hydraulic chuck, which is adapted to grip the right-hand end of the workpiece iii. The chuck 5% is suitably mounted for movement with the anvil die member M3, such as by being attached to this die member or to a filler block ldi carried by the support bill, and is located immediately adjacent the end of the portion itiia of the rib of the anvil die member. During the rocking of the anvil die member in carrying out the bending operation on the workpiec Edi, the chuck I46 moves upwardly to the dotted line position thereof shown in Fig. 13.

Upon the completion of the bending operation carried out by the modified machine I 30, the chuck i351 is deenergized and at substantially the same time or immediately thereafter the anvil die member 233 is lifted slightly to release the clamping pressure on the workpiece. The ironing die member $32 is then moved to the left back to its initial position by means of the cylinder IE9, thereby disengaging the previously deenergized chuck lBt from the workpiece 13!. The anvil die member B33 is then raised clear of the ironing die member [32 and, at substantially the same time, the chuck hit is deepergized and the bent workpiece it! is removed from the machine.

In both of the bending machines I E) and I38 the work gripping means has been shown and described as being movable with the ironing die carrier but bends can be carried out on many workpieces without need for these gripping devices. When these gripping devices are omitted from the ironing die carrier or are not used, the clamping pressure exerted by the anvil die member produces a drag between the workpiece and the ironing die member which is sufdcient for carrying out the bending operation on the workpiece. At this time the translatory movement of the ironing die member is produced or controlled by the action of the power cylinder :09.

Likewise, in both of the bending machines I The anvil die member 533 is also and 130 the work gripping means mounted on the ironing die carrier 39 can be used to con nect the workpiece with this carrier, such that during the rocking of the anvil die member a pull will be transmitted through the workpiece to the carrier for causing the translatory movement of the ironing die member. When the machines are operated in this manner the cylinder Hi9 and the rack and pinion elements H15 and it can be omitted or can be used merely to return the ironing die member to its initial position.

From the accompanying drawings and the foregoing detailed description it will now be understood that this invention provides improved bending machines capable of rapidly and smoothly carrying out desired bending operations on various workpieces, and particularlyon an elongated longitudinally flanged workpiece by the bending of the web portion of the workpiece out of its own planeahd the bending of the flanges within their own planes without wrinkling or buckling thereof. It will also beseen that only two die members of a relatively simple form are needed in the improved machines and that the mechanism for supporting and actuating the die members is also relatively simple. Additionally, it will be seen that this invention makes possible the bending of such workpieces in one form of the improved machine at a relatively rapid rate and with the accomplishment ofa complete zb'ending operation duringeachihalf cycle of operation of the machine. It will also be understood that the present invention provides for carrying out such a bending in which a simultaneous stretching of the workpiece is accomplished during the bending thereof. It will be understood, further more, that in the bending operations carried out in accordance with this invention a swinging movement is imparted to the anvil die member to cause a rocking cooperation of this die memoer with the ironing die member during which the ironing die member has an edgewise or endwise rectilinear translatory movement; In brief, it will now be recognized that the present invention provides an improved bending machine in which the bending dies? and the actuating mechanism therefor are greatly simplified and function in a much more direct and satisfactory manner than in the bending machines of the swmgmg v wing type which have been proposed and used heretofore.

Having thus described my invention; l? 012!) '1:

1. In a bending machine of the charactei doscribed, a frame, means on said frame defining a longitudinal guideway, table" portions on said frame extending longitudinally of said guideway and having their adjacent ends space'd apart to define a frame opening, an ironing dieme'ans adapted to receive'a workpiece thereon and being adapted for rectilinear movement along said guideway and over said frame opening, an anvil die means, means mounting said anvil die means on said frame in a transversely extending relation to said guideway and for closing and opening movements relative to said ironingdie means-for clamping or releasing said workpiece, said mounting means also providing for swinging of said anvildie meansin rocking cooperation with said ironing die means for bending the workpiece therebetween and around a portion of said anvil die means, first and second power devices operable to cause saidopening andclosing movements and,said'swinging'movement of said anvil die means in succession; gripping devices associated with said ironing'die means and said anvil die means and adapted for gripping engagement with said workpiece at spaced points thereof, roller means located in said frame opening and adapted to support said ironing die means against deflection by the clamping action of said anvil die means, cooperating gear elements interconnecting said ironing die means with said roller means, a double acting fluid pressure cylinder devicemounted on said frame, and cooperating gear elements forming an operative connection between said cylinder device and said roller means;

2. In a bending machine of the character described, a frame, means defining a laterally extending longitudinal guideway on said frame, means defining a substantially vertical guideway on said frame adjacent the midpoint of said longitudinal guideway, a pair of cooperating die members comprisingan anvil die member and an ironing die member adapted to receive elongated workpieces therebetween in succession to be bent, said ironing die member being elongated in the direction of said longitudinal guideway and reciprocably movable endwise therealong from an initial position to a second position and then back to said initial position, carrier means movable along said vertical guideway, a support mounted on said carrier means so as to be capable of oscillating movement about an axis extending transversely of said longitudinal guideway, said anvil die member having a convexly curved sur-- face portion and being carried by said support in overhanging relation to said longitudinal guideway for movement by said carrier means into clamping cooperation with said ironing die member for clamping said workpieces against the latter and to be oscillated by said support with said convexly curved surface portion in rocking cooperation withsaid' ironing die member from an initial anvil die position to a second anvil die position for bending a first workpiece between said die members and around said anvil die member and then from said second anvil die position back to said initial anvil die positionfor bending a" second such workpiece between said die members and around said anvil die member, a first actuating meansconnected with said carrier means for causing said movement thereof along said vertical guidewamasecond actuating means mounted on said carrier and operable to impart said oscillating movement to said support, said ironing die member being movable to and from its second position simultaneously with the swinging of said anvil die member to and from said second anvil die position, and a-double acting fluid pressure cylinder device effective on said ironing die member for controlling the rate of endwise movement thereof during the bending of said workpieces;

3; Ina bending machine of the character described, a frame, a first guideway on said frame, a secondguideway on said frame and extending in a direction substantially normal to the first guideway at a pointintermediate the ends of the latter, carrier means movable along said second ,member being elongated in the direction of said guideway and reciprocably movable endwise therealong from an initial position to a" second positionand then back to' said" initial position,

19 said anvil die member being carried by said support for movement by said carrier into and out of work clamping cooperation with said ironing die member and adapted to be swung by said support in rocking cooperation with said ironing die member from an initial anvil die position to a second anvil die position for bending a first workpiece between said die members and around said anvil die member and then from said second anvil die position back to said initial anvil die position for bending a second such workpiece between said die members and around said anvil die member, pairs of grippers associated with said ironing die member and said anvil die member for gripping engagement of one gripper of each die member with said first and second workpieces in succession, means operable to move said carrier means along said second guideway, means operable to impart oscillating movement to said support, said anvil die member being movable to and from its second position simultaneously with the swinging of said anvil die member to and from said second anvil die position, and combined braking and actuating double acting pressure fluid cylinder means operatively connected between said frame and said ironing die member and effective to impart braking and actuating forces to the latter.

4. In a bending machine of the character described, a frame comprising a laterally elongated front frame member and an upright frame member at the rear of the intermediate portion of said front frame member, means defining a laterally extending longitudinal guideway on said front frame member, means defining a substantially vertical guideway on said upright frame member, ironing die means adapted to receive thereon a workpiece to be bent and being adapted for rectilinear movement along said longitudinal guideway, a slide movable along said vertical guideway, a face plate, pivot shaft means mounting said face plate on said slide for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely of said longitudinal guideway, an anvil die member carried by said face plate in overhanging relation to said ironing die means, actuating means adapted to move said slide along said vertical guideway for causing opening and closing of said anvil die member relative to said ironing die means and to cause clamping of said workpiece r against the latter, said anvil die member being adapted for rocking cooperation with said ironing die means by the pivotal movement of said face plate for bending said workpiece around said anvil die member, a power cylinder movable with said slide, and means operably connecting said power cylinder with said pivot shaft means for causing the pivotal movement of said face plate.

5. In a bending machine of the character described, a frame comprising a laterally elongated front frame member and an upright frame member at the rear of the intermediate portion of said front frame member, means defining a laterally extending longitudinal guideway on said front frame member, means defining a substantially vertical guideway on said upright frame member, ironing die means adapted to receive thereon a workpiece to be bent and being adapted for rectilinear movement along said longitudinal guideway, a slide movable along said vertical guideway, a face plate, pivot shaft means mounting said face plate on said slide for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely of said longitudinal guideway, an anvil die member carried by said face plate in overhanging relation to said" ironing die means, actuating. means adapted to move said slide along said vertical guideway for causing opening and closing of said anvil die member relative to said ironing die means and to cause clamping of said workpiece against the latter, said anvil die member being adapted for rocking cooperation with said ironing die means by the pivotal movement of said face plate for bending said workpiece around said anvil die member, a power cylinder movable with said slide, means operably connecting said power cylinder with said pivot shaft means for causing the pivotal movement of said face plate, roller means on said front frame member adapted to support said ironing die means and being located in said longitudinal guideway at a point substantially opposite said vertical guideway, gear elements connecting said ironing die means with said roller means, and a double acting pressure fluid cylinder power device operably connected with said roller means and effective on said ironing die means through said gear elements.

6. In a bending machine of the character described, a frame comprising a laterally elongated front frame member and an upright frame member at the rear of the intermediate portion of said front frame member, means defining a laterally extending longitudinal guideway on said front frame member, means defining a substantially vertical guideway on said upright frame member, ironing die means, adapted to receive thereon a workpiece to be bent and being adapted for rectilinear movement along said longitudinal guideway from an initial position to a second position and then back to said initial position, a slide movable along said vertical guideway, a face plate, pivot shaft means mounting said face plate on said slide for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely of said longitudinal guideway, an anvil die member carried by said face plate in overhanging relation to said ironing die means, actuating means adapted to move said slide along said vertical guideway for causing opening and closing of said anvil die member relative to said ironing die means and to cause clamping of said workpiece against the latter, said anvil die member having thereon a convexly curved surface portion adapted for rocking cooperation with said ironing die member by the pivotal movement of said face plate for swinging said anvil die member from an initial position to a second position and thereby bending a first workpiece around said anvil die member and from said second position back to said initial position for bending a second workpiece around acting fluid pressure cylinder device operatively connected between said frame and said ironing die means.

7. In a bending machine of the character described, a frame including a laterally elongated :front frame portion and an upright frame portion located'adjacent said front frame portion and intermediate the ends thereof, a first guideway extending laterally along said front frame portion, an upright second guideway extending along said upright frame portion and in a direction substantially normal to said first guideway. a laterally elongated ironing die means adapted to receive an elongated workpiece thereon and being movable along said first guideway, carrier means movable along said second guideway, a support, means mounting said support on said carrier means for oscillatable movement about an axis extending transversely of said first guideway, anvil die means carried by said support and disposed in overhanging relation to said first guideway and being movable by said carrier means into clamping cooperation with said ironing die means for clamping said workpiece therebetween, said anvil die means having a convexly curved surface portion which is rockable against said ironing die means by the oscillatable movement of said support for bending said workpiece between said ironing die means and said anvil. die means and around the latter, actuating means operable to cause movement of said carrier means along said second guideway, and a second actuatlng means located on said carrier means and operable to cause the oscillatable movement of said support.

8. In a bending machine of the character described, a frame, a first guideway on said frame. a second guideway on said frame and extending in a direction substantially normal to the first guideway at a point intermediate the ends of the latter, ironing die means adapted to receive a workpiece thereon and being movable along said first guideway, carrier means movable along said second guideway and including an oscillatable support carried thereby, anvil die means carried by said support so as to be disposed in a transversely extending relation to said first guideway and being movable by said carrier means into clamping cooperation with said ironing die means for clamping said workpiece therebetween, gripping devices associated with said ironing die means and said anvil die means and adapted to grip said workpiece at spaced points thereof, said anvil die means having a convexly curved surface portion which is rockable against said ironing die means by an oscillating movement of said support for bending said workpiece between said ironing die means and said anvil die means and around the latter, actuating means operable to cause movement of said carrier means along said second guideway, a second actuating means operable to cause the oscillating movement of said support, and a combined braking and actuating double acting fiuid pressure cylinder device operatively connected between said frame and said ironing die means and effective to impart braking actuating forces to the latter.

9. In a bending machine of the character described, a frame including a laterally elongated front frame portion and an upright frame portion located adjacent said front frame portion and intermediate the ends thereof, said front frame portion having longitudinally aligned table portions and a frame opening between the adjacent ends of said table portions, a first guideway extending longitudinally of said aligned table portions, an upright second guideway extending along said upright frame portion and in a direction substantially normal to said first guideway, a laterally elongated ironing die means adapted to receive an elongated workpiece thereon and being movable along said first guideway and across said frame opening, carrier means movable along said second guideway, a support, means mounting said support on said carrier means for oscillatable movement about an axis extending transversely of said first guideway, anvil die means carried by said support and disposed in overhanging relation to said first guideway and being movable by said carrier means into clamping cooperation with said ironing die means for clamping said workpiece therebetween, said anvil die means having a convexly curved surface portion which is rockable against said ironing die means by the oscillatable movement of said support for bending said workpiece between said ironing die means and said anvil die means and around the latter, roller means mounted on said frame and supporting said ironing die means at the location of said frame opening, actuating means operable to cause movement of said carrier means along said second guideway, a second actuating means located on said carrier means and operable to cause oscillating movement of said support, and a double acting fluid pressure cylinder device mounted on said frame and operatively connected with said ironing die means through said roller means.

LEE B. GREEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 9,392 Slocum Nov. 9,. 1852 1,126,982 Goss Feb. 2, 1915 1,714,083 Frank May 21,. 1929 1,935,604 Abramson Nov. 21, 1933 1,971,116 Mohan Aug. 21, 1934 2,022,915 Jensen Dec. 3, 1935 2,287,933 Green June 30, 1942 2,342,745 Maize Feb. 29, 1944 2,400,151 Kirsch May 14, 1946 2,444,718 Bath July 6, 1948 2,536,738 Green Jan. 2, 1951

Images