US690023A

US690023A - Tube-bending apparatus.

Info

Publication number: US690023A
Application number: US7440501A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank George Hampson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1901-09-05
Filing date: 1901-09-05
Publication date: 1901-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1918-12-31

Description

Patented Doc; 3|, l90l. F. G. HAMPSON.

TUBE BEND ING APPARATUS.

(Applicatipn filed Sept. 5, 1901.

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Patented Dec; 3|; I90l. F. G. HAMPSDN. TUBE BENDING APPARATUS.

(Application. filed am. m 1901.

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No. 690,023. Patented Dec. 3|. l90l. F. G. HAMPSUN.

TUBE BENDING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Sept. 5, 1901,)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

F. G. HAMPSUN. TUBE BENDING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Sept. 5, 1901.)

No. 690,023. Patented Dec. 3|, l90l.

(No Model.) 5 Shget's-Sheat 5.

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Uwrrnn STATES PATnNr Urrrcn.

FRANK GEORGE I'IAMPSON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

TUBE-SENDING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,023, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed September 5, 1901. Serial No. 74,405. (No InodeLl T0 aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK GEORGE HAMP- SON, a subject of the King of England, residing at London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Tube-Bending Apparatus, (for which application for Letters Patent has been made in Great Britain under No. 3,231, dated February 14, 1901,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for bending tubes and other articles, such as rods and the like, for various purposes, and is particularly suitable for bending tubes for Watertube boilers.

The chief object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for bending the tubes in the cold condition and without requiring the interior of the tube to be filled with any supporting device or material. In the apparatus about to be described the tube is bent alternately to each side of the general axial or central line; but the apparatus may be used for making bends of any required kind in the tube and not necessarily a number of similar bends.

In carrying out the invention I employ a table or bed-plate of any suitable dimensions and material-say, for example, cast-ironand in this I place any desired number of holes in suitable arrangement or relation to each other, so as to provide centers about which the tube can be bent. The holes may be simply formed in the plate or the plate may be made with provision for varying the positions of the holes, which, for example, may be formed in separate pieces of metal adapted to be closed up or arranged in any desired position, order, or sequence. Instead of employing holes into which pins will be inserted pins may be employed with means for depressing them or holding them out of the way until they are wanted.

At one end of the working portion of the apparatus is provided a clamp, preferably formed in halves, each having a semicircular recess, so that when the halves are clamped together they will firmly grasp the end of the tube. A clamping-screw or other suitable device may be employed for securing the tube in the clamps. Where it is intended that the tube will have a bend close to the end, onehalf of the previously-mentioucd clamp may form a portion of a fixed roller about which the tube is intended to be bent.

The previously-mentioned holes are adapted to receive studs or pins, upon each of which will rest a roller or curved bending-surface and above that the end of a lever, preferably operated by hand or otherwise, by means of which the tube is bent. The lever carries a roller, between which and the tube to be operated upon is placed a strip of metal or slipper having a semicircular recess throughout its length on one side and flat upon its back where the lever roller works. The leverrollcr may be adjustable and may be springcontrolled, if desired.

The operation is as follows: To bend a tube, the first and fixed roller or bending-surface is placed upon the first pin, this particular roller or bending-surface being, if desired, provided with pins or otherwise adjusted so that it will not turn. The tube is now placed in the groove of this first bending roller or surface and its end grasped between the previously-mentioned clamps. The end of the lever, which is provided with a suitable hole, is placed over the projecting end of the pin and the loose strip or cover placed upon the tube between it and the lever-roller, so that that portion of the tube fits between the semicircular recess in the fixed roller or surface and the similar recess in the strip or cover, so that at the point where it is subjected to the bending stress it is in effect held in a tube. By moving the lever upon its pivoted end as a center the tube is bent around the roller or curved surface to the desired extent and the lever then removed and placed upon the next pin in the series, which is placed into the second hole in the table. Upon the pin, below the lever, is a second roller, which need not be fixed, and the cover is then applied and the lever operated as before, but probably in the reverse direction, (according to the particular bend to be applied to the tube,) and the tube again bent in the same manner as before. The various pins and rollers of the series are then successively applied and used in the same manner, and at the end of the series the bending of the tube. is completed according to the position, shape, and number of the bending rollers or surfaces, and so on with successive tubes. Generally speaking, it is desirable to have the various purchasepoints rigidly fixed and unyielding, but springs or yielding appliances may be employed, if desired.

It will be appreciated that by using the re- 'cessed strip or cover between the lever-roller and the tube the latter is saved from being flattened or distorted, as would be the case if the roller operated directly upon the tube. I prefer to make the cover-plate or slipper straight and with a flat back for the leverroller to engage.

, Referringtotl1edrawings,Figurelisaplan, and Fig. 2 a side elevation, of a tube-bending apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 with the tube removed. Fig. 4 is a side elevation. Fig. 5 is aplan', and Fig. 6 an end elevation, of a modified construction of apparatus.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

' A is the table or bed-plate.

B represents the studs or purchase-points, and O is the operating-lever.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, theapparatus is arranged for bending a tube alternately to each side of the general axis or center line, and the bed-plate is provided with two series of holes or recesses A A These two series of holes are arranged parallel with each other, the holes of the series A being arranged alternately with the holes of the series A These holes are adapted to receive the studs 13 to form the centers about which the tube may be bent and are provided with grooved rollers or bearing-surfaces B. On the'upper end of each of the studs B is formed a knob or handle B (see Figs. 2 and 3) for convenience in removing or inserting the studs in the holes.

The lever O is provided with a roller G which is mounted eccentrically on a center pin or axis C so that its position relatively to the end of the lever or the studs B can be varied as required, or any other suitable device may be employed for adjusting the position of the lever-roller.

Between the roller C and the pipe D is placed a slipper E, formed of a strip of metal and having a longitudinal recess E throughontits length on the side adjacent to the pipe D, the other side of the slipper being flat to form a surface on which the roller C runs. The slipper E is preferably formed straight; but it may be curved or of any other form, if required. p

' The fixed roller 13 on the stud on the end of the table from which the bending operation is commenced is fixed to the base-plate by means of studs B which enter holes'in the surface of the plate and prevent the roller from turning, or the roller may be held stationary by any other suitable means.

A clam pin g device F for holding the end of the tube to be bent is provided. It consists of two parts, one of which is secured by means of bolts F to the roller B*, which is cut away to receive it, as shown in Fig. 1. The parts are formed on their meetingfaces with semicircular or approximately semicircular grooves or recesses F into which the end of the pipe or tube D enters, the parts being afterward clamped together by means of a clampingscrew F mounted in a projection A screwed into the bed-plate, and secured by a nut A A reduced end F of the clamping-screw enters a hole in one of the parts of the clamping device, the screw being furtherprovided with a head F, by means of which the stud F may be turned. The clamping device may be formed separate from the roller and may be connected to the base-plate by any suitable means. When the end of the tube has been fixed in the clamping device, the opening in the end of the lever O is placed over the end of the first pin 13, carrying the fixed roller 13, and the slipper E is inserted between the tube and the roller 0 in such a manner that where the tube is subjected to the bending-stress it is supported in a tubular or circular holder. By turning the lever D around the stud B the' tube'D is bent to the desired extent around the roller B*, after which the lever is removed and placed upon the next stud of the series, which is situated in the second hole in the bed-plate and is provided with a roller B. The lever is then operated in a reverse direction to the previous operation and the tube again bentin a similar manner as before. The remaining pu rchase-points are then successively applied and the tube bent around them until the required number of bends have been applied to the tube.

If desired, instead of the studs and rollers I forming the various purchase-points being rigidly fixed and unyielding they may be fitted with springs or other yielding devices. By employing a recessed slipper, such as E, between the rollers C and the tube to be bent I am enabled to bend cold empty tubes without distressing them, and the latter are saved from being flattened or distorted, as might be the case if the roller 0 operated directly on the tubes.

Referring now to the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 4. to 6, the apparatus is arranged to bend the tube alternately to each side of the center line, as in the previons example, but the lever (J is operated by power to bend the tube instead of by hand, as above described, and each stud or purchase-point is suspended from a shaft G by means of a cord H, passing over a pulley G on the shaft and carrying at its other end a counterbalance-weight H. The shaft G is mounted in an upright pillar G2 at each end of the'bedplate and is provided with a series of pulleys corresponding in number to the number of studs. The bearing-surfaces or rollers are not free to rotate on'the studs, as in the former example, but are fixed to or formed integral posite direction to the former bend.

with them. The bearing-surfaces are cut away or formed eccentric, so that they may readily be inserted into their respective holes without requiring the tube to be drawn out of the way. The cut away face is turned to the tube ,in order to insert the stud, after which the stud can be turned into the necessary position by means of a key or lever adapted to fit the upper end of the stud. The end of the operating-lever is then fitted onto the top of the stud and is operated by a cord I, attached to its free end. The other end of the cord is wound around a drum or cylinder I, mounted at the opposite end of the table or bed-plate to that at which the bending operation is commenced. The shaft 1 on which the drum or cylinder is mounted, carries at its lower end a toothed wheel 1 which gears with a worm I on a shaft 1 carried in brackets I at the end of the apparatus. The shaft I carries at one end a fast pulley I and two loose pulleys I I, so that the direction of rotation of the shaft may be reversed when required by means of the belt-reversing gear 1 After the tube has been fixed in the clamping device F and bent around the end purchase-point the first of the suspended studs is drawn down and inserted in one of the holes in the base-plate. The lever is then placed on the end of the stud and the drum 1 rotated to operate the lever to bend the tube to the desired extent. When the requisite bend has been applied to the tube, the mechanism is reversed to unwind the cord. The lever is then removed and the next stud of the series lowered and inserted. The lever is then applied to the upper end of the stud, the drum being again rotated, so as to operate the lever to bend the tube in the op- The other studs are successively lowered and the drum rotated in one or the other direction until the requisite number of bends have been applied to the tube.

I have described an apparatus adapted to bend a tube alternately to each side of the general axis, but the purchase-points may be arranged so that other bends may be applied, and by using different-sized rollers or bearing-surfaces larger or smaller bends may be applied, in which case the lever may have more than one opening, so that the distance of the 1ever-roller from the purchase-point may be varied, or, as stated, the lever-roller may be adjustable lengthwise of the lever or deeper or narrower slippers may be employed for the same purpose. Other forms of bearing-surfaces than those described may be applied to the studs to suit requirements, and I may employ other forms of gearing for operating the lever or for holding the studs out of the way when not required.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having a number of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted to fit the holes, a lever having one end engaging with the purchase-points, a roller on the lever and a slipper disposed between the roller and the tube substantially as described.

2. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having a number of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted to fit the holes of bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, a lever engaging with the purchase-points a roller on the lever and a slipper disposed between the lever-roller and the tube substantially as described.

3. In a'tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having a number of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted to fit the holes of curved bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, a lever engaging with the purchase-points a roller on the lever and a slipper disposed between the lever-roller and the tube substantially as described.

4. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having a number of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted to fit the holes of rollers havin g curved peripheries on the purchase-points, a lever engaging with the purchase-points, a roller on the lever and a slipper disposed between the roller and the tube, substantially as described.

5. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having a number of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted to fit the holes, grooved bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, a lever engaging with the purchase-points, a roller on the lever and a slipper disposed between the roller and the tube and having a longitudinal recess to fit the latter substantially as described.

6. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having a number of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted to fit the holes, eccentric bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, a lever having one end engaging with the purchasepoints, an adjustable roller on the lever and a slipper disposed between the tube and the roller and having a longitudinal recess to fit the tube, substantially as described.

7. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with the bed-plate, the removable pur chase-points and the lever of a fixed roller at the end of the bed-plate at which the bending operation is commenced and a clamping device for holding the end of the tube to be bent substantially as described.

8. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having a number of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted to fit the holes, bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, a lever having one end adapted to engage with the purchasepoints, a fixed purchase-point and a clamping device substantially as described.

9. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having a number of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted to fit the holes, grooved bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, a lever adapted to engage with the purchase-points, a roller on the lever, a fixed purchase-point and a clamping device connected to the fixed purchase-point substantially as described.

10. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with the bed plate, the purchasepoints, the bearing-surfaces on the purchasepoints, the lever and the clamping device of counterbalance mechanism for retaining the purchase-points out of the way when not required substantially as described.

11. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with the bed plate, the purchasepoints, the bearing-surfaces on the purchasepoints, the lever and the clamping device, the winding-drum, the flexible connection between the lever and drum, the shaft upon which the drum is mounted, a drive-shaft, for operating the drum, and mechanism for reversing the rotation of the drive-shaft; substantially as described.

12. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with the bed plate, the purchasepoints, the lever and the clamping device of counterbalance mechanism for retaining the purchase-points out of the way when not required and power mechanism for operating the lever substantially as described.

13. In a tube-bending apparatus, the combination with the bed plate, the purchasepoints around which the tube is bent, a lever having one end engaging with the purchasepoints, a roller adjustably mounted on the lever and a slipper interposed between the roller and the tube; substantially as described.

14. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with the bed-plate having a number of holes in its surface of purchase-points adapted to fit the holes rollers on the purchasepoints having a portion of their peripheries cut away and a lever having one end engaging with the purchase-points; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to thisspecification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK GEORGE HAMPSON.

IVitnesses:

WM. J NO. TENNANT, HARRY B. BRIDGE.