US3881341A

US3881341A - Bar straightener

Info

Publication number: US3881341A
Application number: US330267A
Authority: US
Inventors: Maurice L Evans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-02-07
Filing date: 1973-02-07
Publication date: 1975-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 1992-05-06

Abstract

A tool for straightening bars, particularly those of triangular cross section, including a positive clamping mechanism and a pressing tool movable in all directions transverse of the bar so that the bar may be pressed in any lateral direction for straightening.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,881,341

Evans May 6, 1975 [5 BAR STRAIGHTENER 1,555,972 10/1925 Hervig 72/389 2,196,297 4/1940 G 81 177 UJ [76] Invent: Evans Pemnah, 3,257,832 6/1966 H2531; 72/305 Yanktom 5778 3,518,868 7/1970 Cargill 72/389 9 3,545,247 12/1970 Fazzani 72/310 [22] 1973 3,731,513 5 1973 Kindermann 72 295 [21] Appl. No.: 330,267

Primary ExaminerC. W. Lanham 52 US. Cl. 72/297; 72/389; 72/459 Assistant Keenan [51] Int. Cl B2111 3/00 [58] Field of Search 72/389, 480, 458, 459, 57 S R 72/479, 305, 295, 296, 297, 316, 319, 387; 81/177 U] A tool for straightening bars, part1cularly those of mangular cross section, including a positive clamping [56] References Cited mechanism and a pressing tool movable in all directions transverse of the bar so that the bar may be UNITED STATES PATENTS pressed in any lateral direction for straightening. 125,055 3/1872 Kinzel 72/389 317,585 5/1885 Sharp 72/305 9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BAR STRAIGHTENER BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to tools for straightening bars, tubes or the like and more particularly to a tool adapted at one setting to straighten any singular bend, regardless of the direction of that bend, in a rod of triangular cross section.

The cross bar currently used in the various sporting field events such as the high jump and pole vault is of triangular cross section. These bars are frequently bent in use and sometimes in storage. Sometimes the bends are small so as not to appear significant. Yet it is important for accurate comparison of the height of jump that the bar be as straight as possible.

Devices for straightening round bars are not appropriate for the purpose. Round bars can be readily turned so that pressure can be applied in a single direction and the bar turned under the press so that the force is applied is the proper direction to return the bar to its original condition. While the square bar can be pressed in only two directions by a similar tool, the net result is substantially similar because a bar which is straight in those two directions is straight in all directions. However, a triangular bar presents special difficulties which only a multi-directional pressure can solve.

By my invention l provide a tool in which a triangular bar can be clamped and pressure applied in multiple directions to straighten the bar from any direction in which it has been bent.

FIGURES FIG. 1 is a top view of my tool with the pressure saddle in a rest position,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the tool with a bar in a clamped position,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view from line 3-3 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view from line 44 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the saddle in place on the bar.

DESCRIPTION Briefly my invention comprises a tool adapted to stand by itself and in which a bar can be clamped to be straightened. The straightening is accomplished by applying pressure in any direction having a downward component.

More specifically and referring to the drawings, my device is constructed with a base which may be a square or rectangular tube. Brackets 11 may be provided at each end of the base to receive legs 12 to support the base.

In order to hold the bar 13 to be straightened, there are two different supports provided. The first support is also the clamping device to hold the bar in the device. These supports are provided on both sides of the straightening section and include uprights 14 welded to the base 10. A V-shaped support 15 (FIG. 4) adapted to fit the usual triangular bar with a flat side up is provided between each pair of uprights.

Clamping means to clamp the bar 13 in the supports is also provided. This means consists principally of a plate 16 pivoted between the uprights 14 and adapted to engage the upper surface of the bar 13. The plate may be provided with an adjustable extension 17 slidable relative to the plate to allow for variance in the size of the bars 13. It may also be desirable to adjust the plates so that they will just press firmly on the top of the bar as the plate is fully depressed to a dead center" position so that the bar is held without requiring constant pressure on the operating members.

Each plate 16 is mounted on an axle 18 extending into the upright 14 on one side and through the upright 14 on the others. On the side where the axle 18 extends, a crank arm 19 is fixed to the axle. This arm provides the means by which the plates 16 are pressed into contact with the bar 13. Preferably the arms 19 are inter-connected by a link 20 so that they will operate simultaneously when one is moved by means of a lever 21. It will readily be apparent that an adjustment of a turnbuckle type may well be provided in the link 20 if it is desirable or necessary to adjust the phasing between the two clamping means. Ordinarily, the adjustment of the sliding extensions 17 is adequate, but provision can be made for the other adjustment if needed.

The second support means is merely an extended support 23 which may be provided by a bar type support having a V-shapedend 24. The bar is preferably pivoted to the base so that it can be moved from a nonuse position shown in FIG. 3 to the use position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The straightening mechanism is also supported by uprights 26 mounted on the base 10. The mechanism is pivoted on a horizontal transverse axis so that vertical pressure can be applied. This axis is defined by an axle 27. The first link 28 of the mechanism may preferably be U-shaped to provide a pair of ears between which the operating link 29 can be pivoted on an axis substantially perpendicular to the axle 27. The operating link 29 is provided with a hollow boss 30 into which 31 (FIG. 2) can be inserted to provide the necessary leverage to straighten the bar. A saddle member 32 is pivoted to the operating link 29 and is adapted to engage the top surface of the bar 13 and to extend adjacent its sides (FIG. 5). Thus, vertical pressure will be transmitted to the bar to provide a straightening force in that direction, and transverse horizontal forces may also be transmitted to the bar for straightening in those directions.

In order to support the operating mechanism when not in use, I provide a support bar 34 fixed to one of the uprights 26. The bar is offset to one side so that the operating mechanism will not interfere with placement or replacement of the bar 13.

Means is also provided to determine whether the bar is straight or has become straight. This means includes measuring devices measuring displacement in two dimensions vertical and lateral. The devices are totally mechanical and consist of contact members attached to pointers which are displaced by movement of the contact members. Specifically, the vertical sensor consists of a contact member 36 adapted to engage the lower edge of the bar 13. This member extends to an offset pivot axis 37. At the axis, a pointer 38 is affixed to the member. The pointer is preferably quite long so that any deviation may be magnified. Also, the tip of the pointers extend to some sort of index, whether simply another tip 39 or a scale of some type.

The lateral sensor is similar consisting of the contact member 41 to which is attached the pointer 42 meeting the opposing index tip 43. Springs 44 may be provided for both indicators to hold the

contact members

36 and 41 in contact with the rod 13.

The operation of the device should be apparent from the description. The rod 13 is first placed in the device so that any displacement or crookedness is in the section between the clamping members. Crookedness may be determined by the displacement of either or both of the pointers 38 and 42 when the rod is firmly located in the V-shaped members 15. The clamping means are then set by operating the handle 21 to clamp the rod in place. The saddle 32 is then placed on the rod and pressure is applied in the direction to straighten whatever crookedness there may be. Such pressure is applied until the rod is straightened, and then the rod can be moved to check additional bends. It will be obvious that the rod 13 may have to be turned about its principal axis so the pressure need be applied only in a downward or a horizontal lateral direction, rather than an upward direction, to produce the straightening.

If desired, a steadying handle 45 (FIG. 1) may be provided. This handle is fixed to the base and is used only to steady the device on its legs if necessary to counteract force on the rod applied by the lateral straightening force.

I claim:

1. A bar straightening device comprising a longitudinal extending base, support means mounted on said base near end thereof, clamping members pivotally mounted on each of said support means, said clamping member being spaced from said support means whereby a bar can be clamped therebetween, operating means movably mounted on said base between said clamping members, and adapted to engage said bar, said movable mounting being such as to allow move ment of at least part of said operating means in two directions perpendicular to each other and transversely of said bar, means on said operating means adapted to engage at least three sides of said bar whereby the operating means is adapted to apply force against said bar in two directions to apply straightening force in those two directions.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said clamping member is adjustable so that the space between it and the support means may be varied.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the clamping members in both clamps are linked together to operate simultaneously.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said operating means includes a pivoted member pivotally mounted on an axis transverse of said frame and above the location of said bar. an operating link pivotally connected to said pivoted member on an axis perpendicular to said transverse axis and means on said operating link to engage both the top and the side of said bar whereby pressure can be applied both downward and laterally of said bar.

5. The device of claim 4 in which said means on said operating link includes a saddle member pivotally mounted on said link and having side members embracing the sides of said bar.

6. The device of claim 5 in which said clamping means includes support means and a pivoted clamping member, said clamping member being spaced from said support means so that the bar can be clamped between the clamping member and the support means.

7. The device of claim 6 in which said support means are V-shaped with the apex pointing downward so that a triangular bar can be clamped in said clamping means.

8. The device of claim 4 in which outer support means are pivotally mounted on said base and are movable to a position to support said bar at a point beyond said clamping means from the center of the base.

9. The device of claim 4 in which indicator means are pivotally mounted on the base in position to contact the bar to indicate the presence of crookedness in the bar.

l =l =l

Claims

1. A bar straightening device comprising a longitudinal extending base, support means mounted on said base near end thereof, clamping members pivotally mounted on each of said support means, said clamping member being spaced from said support means whereby a bar can be clamped therebetween, operating means movably mounted on said base between said clamping members, and adapted to engage said bar, said movable mounting being such as to allow movement of at least part of said operating means in two directions perpendicular to each other and transversely of said bar, means on said operating means adapted to engage at least three sides of said bar whereby the operating means is adapted to apply force against said bar in two directions to apply straightening force is those two directions.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said operating means includes a pivoted member pivotally mounted on an axis transverse of said frame and above the location of said bar, an operating link pivotally connected to said pivoted member on an axis perpendicular to said transverse axis and means on said operating link to engage both the top and the side of said bar whereby pressure can be applied both downward and laterally of said bar.