US2642114A

US2642114A - Metal forming press

Info

Publication number: US2642114A
Application number: US202052A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cyril J Bath; Robert J Ebert
Original assignee: Cyril Bath Co
Current assignee: Cyril Bath Co
Priority date: 1950-12-21
Filing date: 1950-12-21
Publication date: 1953-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 1970-06-16

Description

June 16, 1953 c. J. BATH ETAL 2,642,114

METAL FORMING PRESS Filed Dec. 21, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR5. W 7- Z BY 2 Mp M,

m ATTOINEYS.

June 16, 1953 c. J. BATH ETAL METAL FORMING PRESS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1950 INVEN TOR.. $4M,

2*" 4770F/VEYS June 16, 1953 c. J. BATH ETAL METAL FORMING PRESS Filed Dec. 21, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 H 9 10 4! 5? /Z W/ U! I I I" z 12 II I u l 72 KO C 1 45 INVENTORS.

M'FMI @ATIOPNEYS June 16, 1953 c; J. BATH ETAL 2,642,114

FORMING PRESS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed D60. 21, 1950 3 ATTOF/VEKS'.

June 16, 1953 c. J. BATH ETAL METAL FORMING PRESS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 21, 1950 INVENTORS. M w

w w M 14770F/VEV3;

Patented June 16 1953 Cy il J.

Bath, Chagrin Falls, and Robert J. Ebert,

Euclid, Ohio, assignors to The Cyril Bath Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 21, 1950, Serial N 0. 202,052

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to metal forming presses and particularly to a combination forming press and tangent bender.

Heretofore much difliculty has been encountered in the production on forming presses of cabinets and the like having planar side or peripheral walls which are portions of a single elongated sheet of metal bent about axes extending transversely of the sheet.

The difficulty arises principally from two factors. One is that, during the forming operation, the sidewalls of the cabinet portion frequently extend above the level of the die bed at each side of the ram to such an extent that the ram must be raised to a position far above its forming position in order to permit unloading of the formed portion laterally of the ram. The disadvantages of such long ram travel are apparent.

Again, it often happens that all or portions of the rear wall of the cabinet are formed integral with the side walls, in which case the rear wall, or lateral margins thereof, overhang the ram, or portions thereof or of the die carried thereby, so that the formed portion cannot be removed laterally of the ram- Accordingly, to overcome these objections, attemptshave been made heretofore to form such cabinets in presses in which the ram is supported only from one end so that the partially formed article .can be removed end'wiseof the machine from the opposite or free unsupported end of the ram. However, in the latter instances,the long unsupported overhang of the ram results in deflection which progressively in creases from the supported end of the ram to the free end.

To overcome this objectionable deflection, presses have been provided in which the ram, though normally supported at both ends, detachably engages the supporting column at one of its ends so that it can be released and swung laterally about the supporting column at the other of its ends outof its normal path of travel to permit removal of the formed stock endwise of the ram. In such a structure both columns are connected to power means for lifting and lowering so as to lift and lower the ram.

The latter type of machine is objectionable because of the time and work required to swing the ram laterally from a position above the die bed to the unloading position. Another objection resides in the fact that considerable floor space is required at one side of each forming press to accommodate the ram when it is swung outof' its normal position above the bed. In

other respects it is inconvenient and time consuming from the standpoint of shop layout and flow of production. Again, no efiicient means is provided for applying power equally to both ends of the ram.

In accordance with the present invention, the press is provided with a ram which is permanently supported from one end above the die bed and is operated by power means to move it downwardly close to the final forming position while supported only by the one end. Additional power means are provided and are equipped with suitable latch means normally positioned below or close to the level of the bed and which, when the ram is lowered close to working position, latch to both ends of the ram and draw the ram firmly into final position with equalized pressure at-the ends. The machine is further provided with one or more wing dies, of the type commonly used in so-called tangent benders, such as described in 'U. S. Patents Nos. 2,287,933, issued June 30, 1942, and 2,446,824,

issued August 10, 1948.

a in which it has special advantages, its use in connection with other types of presses and double wing tangent benders being readily apparent from the illustrative example.

The more specific objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description wherein reference is made to the drawings, in which:'

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a combined a press and single wing tangent bender embodying the principles of our invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, and is taken on the line 22 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged right side elevation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1, part thereof being shown in section for clearness in illustration;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the machine illustratedin Figs. 1 through 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views 3 taken on the lines 5-5 and 6--6, respectively, of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 and is taken on the line 1-! of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a. fragmentary elevational view of the machine as viewed from the line 8--8 of Fig. '7, part thereof being shown in section for clearness in illustration;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of the fluid pressure and electrical circuits for controlling the operation of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 through 8; 1

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a modified form of the apparatus embodying the present invention; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the ram latch connection illustrated in Fig. 10.

Referring first to Figs. 1 through 8, the machine comprises generally a rigid frame 1 having an upwardly facing horizontal die bed 2 on which are mounted suitable forming dies 3. Mounted in fixed position in one end of the frame is an upright rigid guide column 4 which slidably supports a ram 5, the ram 5 being slidably connected by one of its ends to the column 4. The rain carries a plurality of forming dies 6 which are complementary to the dies 3, respectively.

For supporting the ram on the column 4, the ram is provided at its supported end with a rigid bearing sleeve 1 having internal slide bearing bushings 8. In the form illustrated, the column 4 is in the form of a hollow shaft of circular cross section. Consequently, in order to. prevent swinging of the ram 5 about the axis of the column 4, a laterally extending lug 9 is secured in fixed position on the sleeve '1. The lug 9 has an upright bore in which an upright guide rod is fixedly secured and from which it depends. Mounted in the frame I is a guide bearing l l which slidably accommodates the rod l0 thus restraining the ram from rotation about the axis of the column 4 in all vertical positions of the ram.

In order to raise the ram to its fully raised position and to lower it at least near to the forming position, a suitable reversible fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assemblage is provided. The assemblage may comprise a piston l2 which is fixedly secured to the ram and a cylinder l3 which is secured within the frame I below the level of the bed 2. The assemblage is such that the ram can be raised thereby to fully open position or lowered to, or almost to, forming position very rapidly while guided on the column 4 and by the rod [0.

The opposing end of the ram is entirely free and, when the ram is raised a short distance from forming or closed position, affords adequate space between the ram and the bed for removal of any articles formed between the dies even though they are peripherally closed or extend around or partially overhang the ram or the dies carried thereby.

In order to move the ram into final forming position with equalized pressure at its ends, the mechanism now to be described is provided.

Mounted on the ram adjacent its free end is a suitable latch element [5 which is connected to the ram by a pivot 16 extending endwise of the ram. The latch element l5 depends from its pivot [6 when in latching position, as illustrated in Fig.2. Similarly, as best illustrated in Fig. 6, at the opposite end of the ram 5, adjacent the sleeve 1, the ram is provided with a rigid or integral depending latch element I! having a passage I8 therethrough near its lower end.

Within the frame I is a bifurcated lever [9 having arms 20 which are divergent from near one end of the lever l9 toward the opposite end. The free end of one arm 20 is near the free end of the ram 5 and the free end of the other is near the supported end of the ram 5. Referring to the former one of the arms 20, it is pivotally connected near its free end to the frame by means of a suitable yoke 2| and pivot 22, this pivotal connection preferably being adjacent to the free end of the ram 5 and the yoke preferably being connected to the bed of the frame so that reactance forces due to operating pressure applied to the lever 19 are in opposition to the operating pressure applied by the ram.

Mounted on this one of the arms 20 which is adjacent the free end of the ram is a gen erally upright complementary latch element 23 which is arranged for cooperation with the latch element I 5.

As illustrated, the latch element 23 is connected by a pivot 24 to its associated arm 20 between the free end of its arm 20 and the pivot 22. The element 23 extends upwardly through a suitable opening in the bed of the frame, as best illustrated in Fig. 2, to a level a short distance above the bed 2. Mounted on the bed 2 at the free end of the ram 5 is a guide plate 25 having an upwardly open guideway 25a for receiving the lower portion of the free end of the ram 5 and guiding it along the lower portion of its path of travel so as to prevent lateral deflection of the free end of the ram. In order to retain the latch element 23 in a proper adjusted position for cooperation with the latch element [5, there is mounted on the guide plate 25 an adjustable abutment 26 which is arranged at one side of the latch element 23 so as to limit its swinging movement in one direction. A suitable spring pressed abutment 21 is arranged on the plate 25 at the opposite side of the latch element 23 and engages it so as to hold it against the abutment 26 with yielding pressure.

The other of the arms 20 which is adjacent the opposite or supported end of the ram 5 likewise is similarly pivotally connected to the bed2 by a yoke 28 and pivot 29 and carries a latch element 30 which is connected to it by a pivot 30b. The latch element 30 extends upwardly through a suitable opening in the bed 2 a short distance above the level thereof, and is adapted, when in latching position, to engage in the latch element IT by entry into the opening 3, as best illustrated in Fig. 6.

Connected to the lever I9 near the juncture of the arms 20 is a piston 3| which operates in a reversible fluid pressure operated cylinder 32 which, in turn, is connected to the frame I by means of a pivot 33. The piston and cylinder are arranged to operate so that the piston is raised on the power stroke. Thus the lever I 9 fulcrums about the pivots 22 and 29 on the power stroke and draws the

latch elements

23 and 30 downwardly. As mentioned, the

latch elements

23 and 30, when in raised position, extend only a short distance above the level of the bed 2 so that, when the ram is raised to separate the dies a slight amount, it is disposed. above the latch elements .23 and 30 a distance such that adequate access to the space between the "ram and bed is provided between the free end of the ram and the bed.

The latch elements 23 and 30' are normally held by the piston 3| in raised position above the level of the bed such that when the ram is lowered near to its final forming position by the piston' l2, the

latch elements

23 and 30 can engage the latch elements l5. and .IT, respectively, so as to interlock therewith, whereby the piston 3| can pull the ram downwardly by equalized'pressure applied on the ends ofzthe ram. v

The latch. element 23 normall remains in its upright position with little or no movement about its pivot 24. Accordingly, to provide for unlatching thelatch elements I and 23 prior to raising of the ram 5, the latch element |5 must be swung from its dependent position upwardly and out-' wardly laterally of the ram. For this purpose, a suitable link, as shown, is pivotally connected at one end to the latch element |5 and at the opposite end to a suitable power operated piston or plunger, such as a fluid pressure operated piston or a solenoidoperated plunger. In the form illustrated, the link is connected to the piston 34 of a reversible fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assemblage having a cylinder 35, the

piston 34 operating in the reversible cylinder which is mounted on the ram.

. As more fully explained hereinafter, the piston 34 not only retracts the latch element |5 to unlatching position, but, during lowering of the ram, yieldably holds the element l5 in its normal dependent latching position. a

. Since the latch element. I1 is fixed in position, it is necessary to swing the latch 38 out of its normal upright position to unlatch it. For this purpose, .a reversible, fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assemblageis provided. The piston 36 of this assemblage is pivotally connected at one end to the frame l. Thecylinder 3l-is pivotally connected to the latch element 30. As in the case of the latch-element l5, the assemblage not only retracts the element to unlatching position but also, during lowering of the ram, 'yieldablyh 1ds the element 30 in its normal uprightlatching position.

- The latch element |5 has a cam surface I50. onits lower face and the latch element 23 has a cam surface 23d on its upper face. The surfaces |5aand 23a are arranged to engage and swing the latch element I5 out of its depending latchingv position against the resilient force of the piston 34 upon movement of the ram 5 downwardly from its raised position to a position near to its forming position and prior to operation of the piston 3| on its power stroke. Upon con-- tinued downward movement of the ram, the latch element |5-is snapped back into latching position bythepiston 34 after relative passage of the lower latching end of the element |5 downwardly beyond the upper latching endof the element 23. p

Correspondingly, the latch elements 30 and IT have cam surfaces 300. and Ha, respectively,

which cooperate in like manner to displace the element at from its latching position against the resilient force of the piston 36 so as to permit relative passage of. the elements 3|! and I1 during downward movement of the ram. The latching element 30 is snapped back into latching position by the piston 36 after relative passage: of the adjacent ends of the elements and 30..

In operation "of the structure thus far described, the ram is lowered rapidly to aposition close to the final forming position by means of the piston |'2.' As it approaches forming position, the cam surfaces |5a and lla of the latch elements i5 and H engage the cam surfaces 23aand 30a of their complementary latch elements 23 and. 3D respectively, whereupon the

latch elements

23 and 30 are swung out of latching position. Upon continued lowering of the ram,'the

elements

23 and 30 are returned by their respective piston" and cylinder assemblages into latchingpositionin which the arms 2D of the lever |9 are'latched to the opposite ends ofthe ram, respectively; Thereupon the piston 3| is operated upwardly to move the ram 5 downwardly by applying equalized pressure through the arms 20 to the opposite ends of the ram 5. The cylinder 32 may be a higher pressure'cylinder than the cylinder l3, or it may be operative at the same pressure, but since only a slight additional movementof the ram by the piston 3| to final closing position is necessary, a large mechanical advantage is given to the piston 3| through'the lever l9 and latches 23 and 36, thus applying to the ram a much greater forming pressure than that which could be applied by the direct acting piston I2. Also, since the reactive forces to the downward pull on the latches and upward thrust of the piston 3| is resisted by the bed adjacent the dies, due to the position of the yokes 2| and 29, the major stresses are better 10-,

calized so that parts of the apparatus not di- I rectly involved are relieved from the heavier stresses.

As mentioned the preferred embodiment of the apparatus is in the form of a combined press and tangent bender. For the tangent bending opera tion, the press is provided with wing dies 49. For mounting the wing dies, a suitable wing die carriage 4| is provided and extends lengthwise of the ram for substantially the full length of the bed 2 along one side of the frame. The carriage 4| is provided at its ends with arms 42 by which it is connected tosuitable supports 43 on the bed byjmeans ofpivots 44. Normally, the car rierv 4| depends from the pivotal connections be low the level of the bed andlies alongside of one side of the frame? I, as illustrated in Fig. l, and

1 it is adapted to be swung upwardly on its form-,

ing stroke.

Mounted. within the carriage 4| and substantially coextensive in length threwith is a roller 45. The roller is movable transversely of its axis in the carriage 4| toward and away from the pivotal axis. As better illustrated in Fig. 8, this is accomplished by mounting the ends of the roller 45 in suitable bearings 46 which, in turn, are mounted in the carriage 4| for sliding movement toward and away from the pivotal axis of the carriage in suitable slideways and are urged to ward the pivotal axis of the carriage by springs 41. Carried by the carriage 4| is arocker plate 48 which is normally horizontal and faces upwardly and has a channel 49 on its under face in which the roller 45 rolls, theend walls of the channel engaging shoulders on the roller 45, as best indicated at 50, in Fig. 8, sov as to prevent endwise movement of the plate 48 in the carriage. The plate 48 is provided with arms 52, the upper edges of which are in the form of racks 53. The racks, in turn, engage suitable gear seginents 54 secured to the frame and coaxial with the pivots 44, thus guiding the rocker plate 48 as it is rocked from the position illustrated in Fig. 1 upwardly'and along'the lateral faces of'the male dies 6.

Any suitable power means may be used to operate the carriage 4| and, as best illustrated in Fig. 7, this is accomplished by means of a piston 55 operating in a reversible fluid pressure cylinder 56, the piston being connected to the carriage 4| and the cylinder being connected to a suitable post 51 secured in fixed position relative to the frame I. Upon swinging of the carriage 4| upwardly about the axis of the pivots 44, the plate 48 and the wing dies 40 carried thereby are rocked from their horizontal position, illustrated in Fig. 1, upwardly around the rounded lateral edges of the dies 6 into a position such that they form and lay the stock to be formed around such edges and along the lateral faces of the dies 6.

Thus, in order to form a piece of stock into the front, sides and all or marginal portions of the rear wall of a cabinet, the stock is laid in position on the one of the female dies 3, which is nearer the supported end of the ram with one overhanging the adjacent wing die 40. The ram is moved downwardly rapidly by the piston |2 to a piston in which itis engaged by the

latches

23 and 36 after which it is moved downwardly more slowly, but with greater pressure, by the piston 3|, thus forming the portion of the stock between a male die 6 and a female die 3. While the stock is so held, the carriage 4| is swung upwardly by the piston 55, thus rocking the wing dies upwardly and forming the stock about the adjacent rounded lateral edge and side face of the associated die 6. The wing dies are then swungdownwardly and the piston 3| reversed,

after which the

latches

23 and 36 are released and the ram raised thereafter by the piston |2.

Referring next to Fig. 9, there is illustrated diagrammatically the control means for operation of the apparatus in the cycle described. As there illustrated, two solenoid operated control valves 60 and 6| are provided, the valves being connected to a source of air, or other fluid pressure, and to atmosphere, or a sump. Air pressure is preferred due to its rapid operation and such is used hereinafter for purposes or illustration. The valve 6!! is connected to the lower end of the cylinder l3 by a pipe line 62 and to the lower end of the. cylinder 35 which operates the latch element l5, and also to the upper end of the cylinder 31 which operates the latch element 30, by branches 62a leading from the pipe line 62. The valve 6|, on the other hand, is connected to the upper end of the cylinder |3 by a pipe line 64, and to the upper end of the cylinder 35 and the lower end of the cylinder 31 by branches 64a leading from the line 64.

The valve 60 normally is open so as to admit air under .pressure concurrently through the line 62 and its branches 62a to the

cylinders

35, 31 and |3 so that the piston I2 is operated to raise the ram 5 and the latches l5 and 30 are moved to unlatched position, concurrently. The valve 60 is movable to a closed position to connect the line 62 and its branches 62a to theatmosphere.

The valve 6|, on the other hand, is normally closed and when closed, connects the line 64 and its branches 64a with the atmosphere and when open, connects the line 64 and its branches 64a. to pressure. p

A solenoid operated valve 65 also is provided and is normally open. When open, it connects the upper end of the cylinder 32 to a source of air pressure through a line 66 and connects the lower end of the cylinder 32 to atmosphere by 8. a line 61." Since normally it isin a position-in which :air pressureis admitted through the line 66 to the top of the cylinder 32, the arm I9 is held in position in which. the

latch elements

23 and 30 are intheir uppermost position The valves'fill and 6| are operated by solenoids 68 and 69, respectively, which are connected in parallel across the power lines L and L A suitable switch 10 is provided'in the line L and may be in. the form of a self-restoring push button switch or drum type switch, as desired. The valve 65 is operated by a solenoid 1| which is connected to the line L and through a limit switch 12 to the line L thus being connected in parallel with the solenoids 68 and 69 but in series with the limit switch 12. The limit switch 12 is normally open and self-restoring. For illustration it is shown as held open by a spring 13.

A collar 14 is provided on the piston l2 and is arranged to engage and close the switch 12 when the ram has been moved downwardly by the piston |2 to a position in which the

latches

23 and 30 can engage the latches l5 and I1, respectively.

As illustrated in Fig. 9, the parts thus described are in the normal idle position in which the air under pressure is applied as indicated by the arrows. In this position, the ram is elevated, the latches 5 and 3|] are swung out of latching position and the latch 23, along with the latch 30, are in elevated position. The die space between the ram and bed is easily accessible for unloading past the free end of the ram. Upon closure of the switch 10, the solenoid 68 is energized and operates thevalve 60 to connect the lines 62 and 62a to the atmosphere. At the same time, the solenoid 69 operates the valve 6| to disconnect the line 64 and branches 64a from the atmosphere and connect it to the source of air pressure. Thereupon, air under pressure is admitted to the top of the piston |2, forcing the ram downwardly at a relatively rapid speed and at the same time the latch elements I5 and 30 are swung to their normal position for latching and are yieldably held'in' such position by their respective pistons and cylinders. The ram continues moving downwardly on the'rapid traverse stroke' until it is close to the forming position. As it approaches this-position'the latches l5 and |1 have passed the upper ends of the

latch elements

23 and 30, this relative passage having been -effected by movement of the latch I5 and the latch 30 out ofthe respective paths of the latches 23 and I! due to camming action of the complemen-' tary cam surfaces of the latches and the return of the elements I5 and 30 by their respective pistons. After the latches are in position for latching, the collar 14 engages and closes the limit switch 72. As soon as the limit switch 12 is closed, the solenoid 1| operates the valve 65 to disconnect the line 66 from the source of air pressure and to connect it to the atmosphere and concurrently to connect the line 61 to the source of air pressure, thus lifting the piston 3| and forcing the latches downwardly and thereby forcing the ram downwardly on the formingstroke with greater pressure than would be provided by the cylinder l3.

When the switch 10 is released it disconnects all of the solenoids from the source of electric power and the valves 60, 6| and 65, being selfrestoring sequentially, return to their starting position, thus first-releasing the latch elements l5 and 30 and then raising the ram. The wing dies are. then operated by a circuit, next to be attain described, prior to release of the valve so that the stock is formed by the wing dies while gripped between the dies 6 and 40.

The piston 56, for-operating the wing dies, is separately controlled by means of a solenoid op-' eratedvalve which is also connected to the source of air pressure and to the atmosphere. Normally, the'valve 75 connects the cylinder 56 above the piston, through the line 16, to the source of air pressure, and connects the cylinder 56 below the piston to the atmosphere, through the line H, thus holding the wing dies in the downward'or retracted position. Reversal of the valve 1-5 connects the upper end of the cylinder to the atmos-- phere through the line 16 and connects the lower end of'the cylinder to'the source of air pressure through the line 11, thus moving-the piston upwardly and thereby moving the wing dies on their forming stroke. A solenoid 18- is provided for operating the valve 15 and is connected across the lines L and L through a switch 19 whichmay be of the self-centering drum type-or of theself -restoring push button type, and which is normally open.

Referring next to Figs. 10 and 11, a machine of the samegeneral character is illustrated. In this form of the invention, the ram 80 is mounted on a? suitable post 8| which is vertically reciprocable in bearings 82 in the frame 83. At the free end of the ramthere is mounted in the bed of the frame- 83 a vertically reciprocable post 84 which is guided in bearings 85 in the frame. The col-- umn 8| is connected by a toggle link 86 to a piston 81" operating in a reversible cylinder 88. The post 84*is similarly connected by a toggle link 89 to a piston 90' operating in a reversible cylinder 8l. The'cylinders 88 and Bi are pivotally con-- nected to the frame and through suitable valves, not showmcan be connected to the source of fluid pressure so as to admit'fluid pressure to both cylindersconcurrently or independentlyfor expanding the links concurrently and selectively and for contracting the links concurrently and selectively. The post 84' is arranged to engage a socket 92 in the f166' 6l.'1d of the ram and is provided' with a suitable notch 93 which, when the post'is fully inserted, is in a position for latching to the free end of the ram. A suitable rotatable eccentric cam 84 is mounted in the freeend" of the ram and is arrangedfto be operated by a lever 95 to a position in which it engages anddisengages the notch. 83.

In' operation of this modification, fluid pressure is admitted only to the cylinder 88 so as to raise the ram 88' while the post 84 isunlatched from the ram, the cylinder 9! being connected to the source of fluid pressure so as to hold the post 84 in retracted position. Thereupon, formed stock-v interposed between the ram and bed can be withdrawn between the bed and free end of the ram.- Next, while retaining the ram in raised position, a piece of stock isinserted between the dies by passing it between the ram and top ofthe post- 84 or by inserting it from the side, as desired. Thevalve for the cylinder 9| then is operated so as-to expand the linkage 89 and thereby raise the post 84 into position for latching, whereupon it is latched by downward movement of the lever 95. Next, the valves are operated to admit fluid pressure to both cylinders 88 and 9t concurrently so as to retract the linkages 86 and 89 and thereby lower the-post-84 and column 8| concurrently for forming the piece. a v

It will be noted that in both forms of the invention, the ram and bed are sufiiciently longto 10 accommodate either a very long set of dies or two sets of dies spaced apart endwise of the ram. In using two sets of dies and a single wing die carrier, theoperation for forming the front, rear,

and margins of the rear wall of a cabinet are as follows: A sheet of stock'can be inserted from the side of' the' machine between the set of dies nearer'the supported end of the ram and the sheet "crowned and formed between the male die 6 and 'femaledie 3 of that set, and one overhanging end thereof formed by the adjacent cooperating wing die Ell while the stock is gripped between the male andfemale die. When the ram is raised, the piece thus formed is removed laterally of the ram and is reversed in position and inserted throughthe space between the free end of the ram and the bed into position in the set of dies which is nearer thefree end of the ram, and a new piece inserted laterally of the ram, between the set of dies near the supported end of the ram.

Upon the next downward movement of the ram,v another piece of stock near the supported end isv formed as already described. At the same time, the piece of stock between the set of dies adjacent the free end of the ram, is finish formed, the other overhanging end of the stock being bent up by the wing die 40 against the free end of the ram. When the ram is next raised, the piece finally formed between the dies adjacent the free end of the ram can be removed endwise of the ram through thespace between the free end of.

the ram and the bed It is apparent with the apparatusdescribed that articles such as cabinet portions and the like, even those which are peripherally closed, can readily be formed and easily removed from the apparatus- Since equalized ram operating pressure is applied to both ends of. the ram, deflection of the ram is negligible.

Further it is apparent from scription that ifv desired forv more rapid production a duplicate set oiwing dies can be provided at the opposite side of the press and the wing dies at opposite sides of the press can be operated concurrently.

4 Furthermore, in event that cabinets of square cross section and the lik'e'are to be formed with relatively sharp edges the usual bending brake diescan be substituted for the forming dies described and the press used as a conventional bending brakewithout the necessity for wing dies.

In the description and claims, the structures are described by reference to a horizontal frame,

using words such as upwardly, downwardly,

above, below and the like; It is to be understood thattheseterms are used in a relative sense only for convenience in description of the relative positions of various parts to eachother and not their positions with respect to an actual vertical or horizontal pla'ne.-

Having thus described our invention, we claim: 1. In 'aforming machine, a frame having an upwardly facing work bed adapted to accommodate a working tool, a ram adapted to carry a' downwardly facing complementary working tool,

means connecting one end of the ram to theframe and supporting and guiding the ram for movement'along a generally upright lineal path from a positionabove the bed downwardly toward, and upwardly away from, the plane of the bed, latching means-'on'the ram near the other end'of the ram said other end of the ram and its latching means normally being free and disconnected from the frame so as to afford access the foregoing deto the space between the bed and ram from the free end of the ram, tension applying means, including cooperable latching means near the free end of the ram, mounted on the frame for movement upwardly and downwardly relative to the plane of the bed and to a position in which it is spaced below the level of the ram and its latching means, when the ram is in a predetermined raised position, so as not to obstruct said access to the space between the ram and bed from said free end of the ram, said cooperable latching means of the tension applying means and latching means of the ram being engageable with, and disengageable from, each other, selectively, for latching the tension applying means and free end portion of the ram for movement together in a direction to move the ram toward the plane of the bed and for unlatching them for independent movement, and power means operatively connected to the tension applying means for moving the tension applying means and thereby said one end of the ram downwardly toward the plane of the bed.

2. In a forming machine, a frame having an upwardly facing work bed adapted to accommodate a working tool, a ram adapted to carry a downwardly facing complementary working tool, means connecting one end of the ram to the frame and supporting and guiding the ram for movement along a generally upright lineal path from a position above the bed downwardly toward, and upwardly away from, the plane of the bed, latching means on the ram near the other end of the ram, said other end of the ram and its latching means normally being free and disconnected from the frame so as to afford access to the space between the bed and ram from the free end of the ram, power means operatively connected to the ram and operable to move the ram along said path toward and away from the plane of the bed, tension applying means, including cooperable latching means near the free end of the ram, mounted on the frame for movement relative to the frame and ram upwardly toward, and downwardly from, the ram and to a position in which it is spaced below the level of the ram when the ram is in a predetermined raised position so as not to obstruct said access to the space between the ram and bed from said free end of the ram, said cooperable latching means of the tension applying means and the latching means of the ram being engageable with and disengageable from each other, selectively, for latching the tension applying means and free end portion of the ram for movement together in a direction to move the ram toward the plane of the bed and for unlatching them for independent -movement, and power means operatively connected to the tension applying means for moving the tension applying means and thereby said free end of the ram downwardly toward the plane of the bed.

3. In a forming machine, a frame having an upwardly facing work bed adapted to accommodate a working tool, a ram adapted to carry a downwardly facing complementary working tool, latching means on opposite end portions of the ram, respectively, means connecting one end of the ram to the frame and supporting and guiding the ram for movement along a generally upright lineal path from a position above the bed downwardly toward, and upwardly away from, the plane of the bed, the other end of the ram and its latching means normally being free and disconnected from the frame so as to afiord access to the space between the bed and ram from the free end of the ram, tension means mounted on the frame for movement upwardly and downwardly, said tension means including cooperable latching means positioned near opposite end portions of the ram, respectively, said tension means and its cooperable latching means near the free end portion of the ram being movable to a position in which they are spaced below the level of the ram and the latching means on the free end portion of the ram, when the ram is in a predetermined raised position relative to the plane of the bed, so as not to obstruct said access to the space between the ram and bed from the free end of the ram, said latching means of the opposite end portions of the ram and the respective cooperable latching means of the tension means being engageable for latching the tension means to the end portions, respectively, for movement together in a direction to move the ram toward the plane of the bed, power means connected to the tension means for moving the tension means and thereby moving the ram downwardly while the tension means is latched to the ram.

4. In a forming machine, a frame having an upwardly facing work bed adapted to accommodate a working tool, a ram adapted to carry a downwardly facing complementary working tool, means conecting one end of the ram to the frame and supporting and guidin the ram for movement along a generally upright lineal path from a position above the bed downwardly toward, and upwardly away from, the plane of the bed, the other end of the ram normally being free and disconnected from the frame so as to afford access to the space between the bed and ram from the free end of the ram, power means for moving the ram downwardly to a predetermined position above the bed, tension means movably mounted on the frame, means on the tension means readily connectible to and detachable from the free end portion of the ram and operable, when connected to the ram, to pull the ram downwardly upon movement of the tension means in one direction, and additional power.

means operable for moving the tension means in said direction so as to move the ram downwardly thereby.

5. In a forming machine, a frame having an upwardly facing work bed adapted to accommodate a working tool, a ram adapted to carry a downwardly facing complementary working tool, means connecting one end of the ram to the frame and supporting the ram above the bed for movement along a generally upright lineal path downwardly toward, and upwardly away from, the plane of the bed, respectively, the other end of the ram normally being free and disconnected from the frame so as to afford access to the space between the bed and ram from the free end of the ram, a bifurcated lever pivotally connected to the frame for rocking about an axis extending generally parallel to the ram and having free end portions adjacent opposite ends of the ram, respectively, and positioned therebeneath, latch means on said free end portions, respectively, complementary latch means on the opposite ends of the ram, respectively, complementary to the first latch means, means operable to latch the first latch means to the complementary latch means and to unlatch the same, selectively, and a reversible power means connected to said bifurcated lever and operable to rock-said lever about its said pivotal axis for applying the power of said power means equally upwardly facing work bed adapted to accommo date a working tool, a ram adapted to carry a downwardly facing complementary working tool, latch means on opposite end portions of the ram, respectively, means connecting one end of the ram to the frame and guiding and supporting the ram for movement along a generally upright lineal path from a position above the bed downwardly toward, and upwardly away from, the plane of the bed, respectively, the other end of the ram and its latch means normally being free and disconnected from the frame so as to afford access to the space between the bed and ram from the free end of the ram, power means operatively connected to the ram and operable selectively to move the ram along said path toward and away from the plane of the bed, tension means movably mounted on the frame, and including complementary latch means carried thereby adjacent the opposite ends of the ram, respectively, said complementary latch means being operable to be 7 engaged in latching relation to, and disengaged from, the first latch means, selectively, additional power means operatively connected to the tension means and operable to move the tension means for moving the ram downwardly when the complementary latch means of the tension means and the latch means of the ram are in latching engagement.

'7. A structure according to claim 6 characterized in that control means are provided for oper-.

ating the first power means in opposite directions, selectively, additional control means are 14 downwardly to a predetermined position by the first power means. 7

8. The forming machine according to claim 6 characterized in that at least one of the movable tension means and additional power means includes means operative to cause the tension applying means to exert a greater force on the ram for moving the ram toward the bed than the force exerted on the ram by the power means of the ram for moving the ram toward the bed.

9. The forming machine according to claim 6 characterized in that at least one of the movable provided for operating the additional power means in opposite directions, selectively, and control mechanism is provided which operatively in-. terconnects said control means so as to render the second control means operative'to cause the said additional power means to move the ram downwardly consequent upon movement of th ram.

tension means and additional power means includes means operative to cause the tension means to move the ram toward the bed at a lesser rate of speed than that at which the ram is moved toward the bed by the power means of the ram.

10. The forming machine according to claim 6 characterized in that at least on of the movable tension means and additional power means includes-means for equalizing the respective forces applied by the tension means to the respective ends of the ram for moving the ram toward the bed.

11. The structure according toclaim 6 charac terized that said complementary latch means of the tension means are so selectively connectable to, and disconnectable from, the latch means of the ram during movement of the ram along said path.

12. The structure according to claim 1 characterized in that the tension applying means and its complementary latching means are movable, relative tothe ram, to and from the position in which they are spaced from the ram and its latching means, during movement of the ram along said path.

CYRlL J. BATH. ROBERT J. EBER'I,

Name Date Peroney July 11, 1922 Number