US2852971A

US2852971A - Metal bending hand tool

Info

Publication number: US2852971A
Application number: US630673A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Michael Macaluso
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-12-26
Filing date: 1956-12-26
Publication date: 1958-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 1975-09-23

Description

Sept. 1958 M. MACALUSO, JR 2,852,971

METAL BENDING HAND TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet l I Filed Dec. 26, 1956 INVENTOR. MICHAEL MACALUS 0, JR.

w. 51 R fit Q Q l twill] p 23, 1958 M. MACALUSO, JR 2,852,971

METAL BENDING HAND TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 26, 1956 m w w m MICHAEL MACALUSO, JR.

A 7TOR/VEY United States Patent ()fitice 2,852,971 Patented Sept. 23, 1958 METAL BENDING HAND TOOL Michael Macaluso, Jr., Rochester, N. Y.

Application December 26, 1956, Serial No. 630,673

7 Claims. (CI. 81-15) This invention relates to metal working tools and more particularly to a tool for holding, clamping and bending metal.

Over the last several years, the number of motor vehicles on the highway has increased at a phenomenal rate so that the mathematical probability of two or more vehicles colliding has increased likewise at a phenomenal rate. In an almost parallel channel the design of each new car model has become more conscious of style so that designers, in order to give vent to their conception of modern design, have added numerous bulges, fins and other media to the automobile. With each new bulge in a vehicle fender and With the possibility of that bulge obtaining some accidental wrinkle from another vehicle, light post, etc., the need for more skilled persons to remove the unwanted wrinkle and the demand for better tools to meet the requirements of the large variety of bumps and dents a vhicle is likely to receive opened the door for the instant invention.

Tools currently on the market provide means for straightening a large variety of dents, bumps and the like, but they are not universal enough to provide the degree of flexibility required for modern automobiles. None of the currently available tools are adapted for use as a holding or clamping tool. Most of the readily available tools consist of a plurality of pivotally interconnected rigid links that are limited in the range of application, for instance, by the fact that they cannot be made to extend around a compound curved surface to get a purchase for holding a panel in position while it is being welded or bolted to the frame. One example of this is the effort involved in replacing a rocker panel where a purchase up under and behind thepanel is required to hold the panel in position while it is being fastened to the frame. It requires ingenious improvision with existing tools together with the help of two men to even simulate an adequate means for doing the job.

Other prior art bending tools have links of fixed length between the handle and the work engaging portion which not only limit the amount of applicable leverage but also require a relatively large work area to permit the handle to swing through an are sufficient to move the dented metal so that in close quarters or inaccessible spaces these prior tools are useless and resort must be had to a pinch bar and hammer to do the job. Another limitation on existing tools lies in the fixed position, fixed setting available with the tools that does not permit a wide, continuous range of uses required in the bumping business today.

It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to overcome the disadvantage of the prior art and to provide an improved metal holding, clamping and bending tool that is capable of working sheet metal and frame parts with a minimum of effort.

It is another object of this invention to provide a metal working tool that is extremely versatile thereby allowing fora broad range of uses both in the bending of old panels and the like and in the application of new panels and the like.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a metal working tool that is easily adjustable in several aspects whereby the tool may be rapidly and advantageously adjusted to meet various conditions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a metal working tool which will be substantially simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and dependable in use.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a metal working tool which will be compact, light in weight, and relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

And a still further object of this invention is to provide a metal working tool which is adapted to be uniform in operation, having but few operating parts, and will be unlikely to get out of repair.

And yet a further object of this invention is to provide a metal working tool which has a flexible, adjustable link which permits a wide variety of bending and clamping jobs to be performed therewith.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds, and the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing, but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of metal bending tool embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side view in longitudinal section of a portion of the tool shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4- is a perspective view of an adapter for with my invention shown in Figure 1; t

Figure 5 is a side view in longitudinal section of the tool applied to a bumper, trunk lid, or fender section;

Figure 6 is a side view in longitudinal section of the tool applied to a rocker panel;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the tool ready for use with a bumper or frame member;

Figure -8 is a side view in longitudinal section of the tool fitted with the adapter and being used on a fender or body panel;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the tool being used to straighten a misaligned door; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the tool being used to hold a fender in place for attachment to the vehicle chassis.

Referring specifically to the drawings, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each ofthe views, my invention in its present embodiment comprises an elongated lever or arm 10 having one end portion 12 angled with respect thereto and to which is fastened a bearing bar or rod 14 extending perpendicular to the plane containing the axis of the lever. The rod 14 is welded at its mid-portion to the lever 10 and has a pair of

bumpers

16 and 18 made of rubber or the like fastened respectively to the

ends

20 and 22 thereof. The rod 14 is adapted to be placed against a firm or solid surface which will form one contact point of a leverage system as will be more fully described hereinafter.

I have also illustrated in Figure l a bearing pad 15 comprising a rectangularly-shaped base portion covered by' belt which is adapted to be placed against a finished surface without marring the finish. A pair of spring clamps 19 projects from the rear of the pad and are adapted to be engaged with the ends 26, 22 of the rod 14 so that the pad can be positioned on the lever at a large number of positions around the rod 14 depending on the relative position of the work surface with respect to the lever.

The lever 10 which is preferably made of metal of suitable length is angled or bent near the rod end 12 thereof in such a way that the axis of the rod end portion 12 lies at an angle of approximately 120 with the axis of the lever. The angled end portion will permit the rod end 12 of the tool to be inserted in awkward places where a good purchase for a bending or holding operation can be secured. The principle of angling the end portion of the lever is commonly used in the wrench art wherein the open-ended wrench has the engaging end angled with respect to the handle thereof so that the open-end of the wrench can be engaged with a nut or bolt head in a place that would be inaccessible to a straight wrench. The angled end likewise provides a means whereby the directing of the downward force on the rod end of the lever is such as to stabilize the holding or bending force without creating an undue bending force on the lever.

Axially slidable on the lever 10 is a clamp body 25 which comprises an elongated hollow housing 27 having a pair of aligned

apertures

28, 29 formed through the opposite end portions thereof and into which apertures said lever 10 is adapted to be slidably received. The housing 27 has an inwardily extending projection or abutment 31 formed on the inside thereof in close proximity to the lower side of the aperture 29. The abutment 31 lies substantially parallel to the axis of the lever 10 and has an inner portion 33 adapted to lie in the path of and be engaged by a locking ring 35.

The locking ring 35 has an aperture 37 therethrough which aperture is of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the lever 10. The aperture 37 in said ring 35 is adapted to receive said lever 10 for axial movement thereon when the plane of said ring is perpendicular to the axis of said lever. The ring 35 has a release tab 39 extending outwardly from a peripheral portion thereof which tab passes through and beyond an opening 40 in the top wall 42 ofthe housing 27. A compression spring 44 is concentrically disposed about said lever 16 within the. housing 27 and bears between a shoulder 46 therein and one side of the ring 35 in such a manner that one edge ofthe ring 35 is caused to bear against the face 33 of the projection 31 so that the unsupported edge of the ring is canted relative to the axis of the lever sufficiently to grip into the lever and hold the clamp body 25 locked relative to the lever. The release tab 39 of the ring 35 is so positioned outside the housing 27 through the opening 40 that a finger of an operator of the tool may be pressed against said tab to pivot the ring about the edge in contact with the abutment or projection 31 and against the compression of the spring 44. When the ring 35 has been pivoted enough to align the aperture 37 with the lever 10, the clamp body 25 may be moved in either direction along the length of said lever for adjusting the distancev between the clamp body 25 and the rod end 14 of the lever 10.

Projecting from the lower portion. of the clamp body 25 are two spaced-apart substantially

parallel side members

48 and 50 through which are formed a pair of aligned

apertures

52 and 54. The lengthwise dimension of the sides of the clamp body extend along the length of the shaft in planes that are substantially parallel to said shaft. A pin 56 extends through said

apertures

52, 54 and has a head 58 on one end portion adapted to bear against one of the sides such as 48 and has a spring-pressed ball 60, of conventional design, near the other end portion thereof. The pin 56 may be passed either way through the

apertures

52, 54 under pressure for assembly or disassembly from the clamp body. The spring-pressed ball 60 prevents the pin from being accidentally displaced therefrom.

A chain 62 comprising a plurality of links is of such a size as to not only pass between the parallel sides 48 and 53 but also is large enough to permit the pin 56 to pass therethrough for securing the chain to the clamp body 25. The effective working length of the chain is varied by inserting the pin through different links of said chain. A book 53 comprising a back 6 and a curved portion 66 is constructed of fiat material that is quit wide in the horizontal dimension so as to present a surface that is adapted to engage with the metal or frame across a substantial distance so that the engaged metal will not be needlessly torn or dented. The hook 63 is fastened to the chain by using a lap link or chain repair type link as the first link of the chain Which link is passed through an aperture 63 in the back 64 of the hook. The distance between the pin 56 and the base of the hook can be easily varied by engaging the pin 56 in different links of the chain.

In Figure 4, an adapter 69 which comprises a flat plate 70 having a threaded stud 72 extending from the central portion thereof, is adapted to be fastened to the hook 63 by inserting the stud through the aperture 74 in the curved portion of the hook 63 and threading a nut 75 on the threaded portion of the stud 72. The adapter has many varied uses with the tool as will become apparent hereinafter.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing description that an almost endless combination of leverage systems can be created by the various combinations of settings of the clamp body 25 along the lever 10 and by the different lengths of chain created by moving the pin there along relative to the hook.

Different applications of my invention are illustrated in Figures 5 to 10 wherein Figure 5 shows the clamp body 25 positioned comparatively close to the rod 14 on the lever 10 with the chain adjusted so that only a short length extends between the pin 56 and the hook 63. Assembled on the rod 14 is the bearing pad 15 having its felt 17 engaging With. a solid portion of an automobile body panel so that with the hook 63 engaging under the edge of said body panel an upward lifting force on the lever 10 will bend the hook engaged portion into any desired position relative to the rest of the panel. It is like- Wise possible to use the instant tool to hold thehook engaged portion in some definite position relative to the rest of the panel as a welding, bracing or some other operation is performed at the held portion.

Figure 6 illustrates the situation where the chain has been elongated by moving the pin 56 to a different link therein and the clamp body 25 is still locked on the lever 10 in close proximity to the rod 14. In the illustrated form, the lever is rotated so that the rod 14 bears against the indent in a rocker panel 76 of the automobile body with the hook 63 connected to the channel of the frame 77 so that pressure on the lever 10 toward the automobile body will position the frame and rocker panel into proper alignment. With the rocker panel so held in position it is easily welded into place in a neat and professional manner. The rocker panel of an automobile is frequently replaced, however, it is extremely diflicult to get the panel properly positioned for welding without the use of two men. Using my improved tool as illustrated in Figure 6 it becomes a simple one-man operation which results in a superior finished job.

Figure 7 shows the clamp body 25 moved to a new position on the lever 10 which position is spaced considerably along the lever 10 from the rod end 14 and shows a long length of chain between the clamp body 25 and hook 63 which chain is formed in a loop by passing a bolt through the aperture 74 in the curved portion of the hook 63 and one link of the chain. With the hook Figure 8 illustrates the use of the adapter 69 shown in Figure 4 to remove a caved-in section of a door or other panel 78 of a vehicle. A small hole is first drilled through a low spot in the caved-in portion whereby the plate 68 can be placed on the inside of the caved-in portion with the stud 72 extending through the drilled hole. The stud 72 is then passed through the aperture 74 in the hook 63 and bolted thereto. With the adapter 69 bolted V to the hook, the rod 14 is positioned against the automobile body so that a lifting force exerted on the lever pulls the caved-in portion to substantially the original position relative to the rest of the panel. By leading over the drilled hole in the panel, the panel is ready for painting and reuse. This use of my improved tool is especially important in view of the fact that the construction of present day vehicles is such that it is impossible to get behind most of the panels of the vehicle to hammer out a dent. In the example illustrated in Figure 8, it is clearly shown how the inner splash guard 79 almost completely encases the inside of the caved-in fender section so that it becomes nearly impossible to hammer out a dent in the fender. My improved tool completely eliminates this problem.

Figure 9 illustrates the tool being used to bend a door of a vehicle that has been sprung. The clamp body is moved into close proximity to the rod end of the lever 10 and the chain is lengthened so that the hook 63 can be engaged with the frame of the vehicle. With the felt 17 of the bearing pad 15 placed against the outwardly bent part of a door 86) and with a block of wood 81 wedged between the door and the door pillar, an upward force on the end of the lever 10 will bend the lower portion of the door inwardly until proper alignment is attained.

In Figure 10, a front fender 82 is being assembled on the frame of a vehicle. Generally replacement panels, lids, fenders and the like are difiicult to assemble on the vehicle for many reasons. The chief reason being that the frame of a used vehicle, especially if it has been in a collision, is loosened or twisted just enough so that the fastening holes in the panels and frame do not line up. By the use of my tool as illustrated in Figure 10, or in other obvious ways, it is possible to deform the panel sufficiently to align the holes in the frame and panel to make assembly possible. The tool of the instant invention can be used to hold a panel or fender on the frame during attachment to the frame. By hooking the hook 63 on the frame and permitting the chain to pass under the lower portion of the fender a support is formed for the fender. Upon placing the bearing pad 15 against the side of the fender 82 andlifting up on the lever 10, it is possible to position the fender so as to facilitate attachment to the frame.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various other modifications may be made in the same with.- out departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact forms, constructions, arrangements and combinations of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

I claim:

1. A metal working tool having an elongated lever, a bar disposed perpendicular to the lever and having its mid-portion attached to the end of said lever for forming one contact of a leverage system, and gripping means adjustable along the length of said lever and carrying a hook for forming the second contact of the leverage system, whereby pressureon said lever will move one contact relative to the other.

2. A tool having an elongated lever, a bar disposed perpendicular to the lever and having its mid-portion attached to the end thereof, holding means adjustable along the length of said lever, flexible means adjustably carried by said holding means, and engaging means carried by the free end of said flexible means, whereby said bar and engaging means are adapted to contact at spaced points selected portions of a work piece.

3. In a metal working tool the combination of a lever having a leg portion disposed at an angle with respect to the major portion thereof, a bearing pad adjustably carried by one end of said leg portion and adapted to engage with one portion of a vehicle, a clamp body axially ad justable along said lever, a lock ring slidably received on a said lever within said clamp body, a release tab on said ring extending through an opening in the wall of said clamp body, spring means within said clamp body bearing against said ring for canting said ring at an angle to the axis of the lever whereby said clamp body is held fixed relative to the lever, a chain comprising a plurality of links, a pin carried by the clamp body engaging with one of said links, and a hook carried by one end of said chain adapted to be engaged with a second portion of the vehicle, whereby pressure on the end of the lever will position said one portion of the vehicle relative to said second portion.

4. In a metal working tool the combination of a lever having a leg portion disposed at an angle with respect to the major portion thereof, a bearing bar fastened at its mid-portion to the end of said leg portion, a clamp body axially adjustable along said lever, a lock ring slidably received on said lever within said clamp body, a release tab on said ring extending through an opening in the wall of said clamp body, means within said clamp body for canting said ring at an angle to the axis of the lever whereby said clamp body is held fixed relative to the lever, a chain member fastened to said clamp body and a hook carried by one end of said chain adapted to be engaged with a panel of a vehicle, whereby pressure on the lever with the bearing bar and hook engaged respectively with a solid and a dented portion of the body will move the dented portion toward the normal position thereof.

5. In a tool the combination of a lever having a leg portion disposed at an angle with respect to the major portion thereof, a bearing bar fastened at its mid-portion to the end of said leg portion, a clamp body axially adjustable along said lever, a lock ring slidably received on said lever within said clamp body, a release tab on said ring extending through an opening in the wall of said clamp body, means within said clamp body for canting said ring at an angle to the axis of the lever whereby said clamp body is held fixed relative to the lever, a chain, means for adjustably fastening said chain to said clamp body, and a hook carried by one end of said chain.

6. In a metal working tool comprising a lever and a pair of work engaging members, the combination of means for adjusting one engaging member relative to the other comprising a hollow housing having aligned apertures therethrough for slidably receiving the lever therein, an abutment formed on the inner wall of said housing and extending inwardly along a plane substantially parallel to the axis of said lever, an apertured lock ring surrounding said lever within said housing, the diameter of the aperture in said lock ring being slightly larger than the diameter of the lever, a release tab carried by said lock ring and extending through an opening in the side of said housing, a spring surrounding said lever within said housing and acting between one wall of the housing and the lock ring for canting said lock ring about a point of contact with said abutment and into engagement with said lever for holding the housing against movement along the length of the lever, and

means on said housing for holding one of the work engaging members, whereby movement of the housing along the lever willmove said last-named work engaging member relative to the other work engaging member.

7. In a tool comprising a lever and a pair of work engaging means, the combination of means for adjusting one engaging means relative to the other comprising a clamp body having aligned apertures therethrough for slidably' receiving the lever therein, an abutment formed on the inner wall of said housing below one of said apertures and extending inwardly of the housing, a lock ring having an aperture therethrough of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the lever, said lock ring receiving said lever in said aperture within said housing, a release tab carried by said lock ring and extending through an opening in the side of said housing, a spring surrounding said lever within said housing and acting between one wall of the housing and the lock ring for canting said lock ring about a point of contact with said abutment and into engagement with said lever for holding the clamp body against movement along the length of the lever, a chain having a plurality of links, a pin carried by said clamp body and engaging with a selected one of said link-s, whereby the length of said chain can be varied, and a hook carried by the free end of the chain, whereby varying the length of the chain adjusts the one work engaging means relative to the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,737,084 Hilstad Nov. 26, 1929 1,758,052 Missman May 13, 1930 2,191,720 Meinhardt Feb. 27, 1940 2,597,103 Johnson et a1. May 20, 1952 2,616,317 Hakkerup Nov. 4, 1952 2,723,578 Konola Nov. 15, 1955 2,776,587 Kiilius Jan. 8, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 257,325 Switzerland Apr. 1, 1949