US1961109A - Form bending machine - Google Patents

Description

May 29, 1934.

E. J. W. RAGSDALE FORM BERDING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

EARL .IWR/aosmu:

Patented May 29, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,961,109 FORM BENDING MACHINE ApplicationJuue 20, 1931, Serial No. 545,643

10 Claims.

My invention relates to form bending machines of a type having especial adaptation for the bending of elongated strip stock of narrow cross section andrelatively light gauge. Its prime objects are the accurate bending of such stock as preformed to desired cross section without distortion of that cross section, a maximum flexibility of adjustment of the contours of such bending, a maximum rapidity of such adjustment and its stability, and a maximum output per diem. These objects involve a high efficiency at a high speed, yet rapidity of adjustment with fineness. Particularly is the invention adapted for use in bending strip stock sections of metal utilized in the fabrication of structural frameworks of aerofoils for aircraft. However, there are doubtless features of the machine having utility in the bending of stock very considerably different in form, grade and weight.

These objects I attain in the main by combining an adjustable work-bending mechanism having a determinate rate of progression with respect to the work with a relatively adjustable work form-determining mechanism having a relative rate of progression with respect to the bending mechanism proportional to the rate of progression of the bending mechanism with respect to the work. The work form-determining mechanism I constitute of a flexible continuous 31} bent contouring element adjustable by reason of its flexibility transversely of the relative direction of progression of the said mechanism to vary the work contour through its engagement withthe adjustable elements of the work bending mechanism. A series of contour determining elements adjustable transversely of this contouring element and relative to each other are utilized to efiect this adjustment through their bearing upon the flexible contouring element. Power is applied to the bending mechanism, and gearing connections between the bending mechanism and the work form-determining mechanism which admits freely of the relative movements of adjustment assures the proportional movements of progression. The bending mechanism is of a three roll type the rolls of which have features especially adapting them tothe work. The extreme rolls are of relatively small diameter. Two intermediate rolls are used movable in unison and having mating crosssections complemental to and engaging the opposite contours of the cross section of the strip to be rolled. The extreme rolls are set close in to the intermediate rolls. The intermediate rolls constitute the adjustable 55 portions of the bending mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine. Figure 2 is a rear elevation.

Figure 3 is an end view from the right hand side as viewed in Fig. l.

Figure 4 isa transverse cross section on the axes of the intermediate rolls on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the rolls of the bending mechanism approximately in the plane 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective of oneof the contour determining elements of the work form-determining mechanism.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of an airplane wing rib the chord elements of which at least may be formedon the machine of my invention.

In the embodiment disclosed (which by the way is only one of many embodiments which my invention may be given) the main frame of the machine is composed of a pair of uprights 10 interconnected in their upper'. portions by a plate 11 which constitutes the mounting means for substantially allelements of the machine.

The bending mechanism designated 12 in gen- 1 eral is arranged substantially vertically of the middle portion of the plate 11. It comprises-the extreme rolls 13 of relatively small diameter which have their axes located in the transversely extending plane and are supported from the front of the plate 11 by means of bearing blocks 14 at an angle to each other and removably and adjustably secured to the plate 11 by bolts 15. The intermediate rolls 16 and 17 ofrelatively large diameter are arrangedon opposite sides of the plane of axes of rolls 13 and are of mating cross sections, as clearly appears in Figs. 1 and 3 to 5,'complemental each to a side 'of, the angle or channel shaped cross section of the work 18. This work is illustrated as a piece of channel section strip stock 18 and the cross sections of rolls 16 and 1'! 'are fixed accordingly. Rolls 16 and 17 are carried respectively on stub shafts 19 and 20 of stepped longitudinal cross section as appears in Fig. 4, each removably secured through removable nuts 21 in a vertically adjustable head stock 22 adjustably borne from plate ll by guides 23. 13y removing and replacing shafts 19 and 20, intermediate rolls 16 and 17 may be removed and replaced and changed at will to accommodate the machine to various cross sections of stock. Roll 16 is fixedly positioned on the head stock 22 while roll 1'7 is relatively adjustable through its journaling in a slide 24 vertically adjustable in guides 25 on the head stock by means of a hand screw 26.

This aifords proper roll clearance and adjustment to gauge.

The work form-determining mechanism design'ated generally 27 is arranged at the top of the frame 10-11 in such a manner as to be afforded a relative movement or progression as respects .the bending mechanism 12 transversely of the machine and the adjustable head stock 22. It comprises an elongated transversely extending base plate 28 having fixed thereto in spaced relation from its lower edge a rack 29 supported from brackets 30. Jibs 31 extending laterally of the rack as shown, particularly in Figs. 2 and 4, are borne in spaced ways 32 on the rear of the plate 11, affording means for relative progressive movement of the form mechanism. The jibs are comprised of underlying rollers 33 and overlying guides 34 mounted in part on the back of plate 11 and in part by brackets 35; Adjustable steps 36 at opposite ends of the mounting plate 28 are adapted to engage by their juxtaposed ends 37 the sides of the head stock 22 (see Fig. 1) and limit the extent of relative movement of work form-determining mechanism 27 and work bending mechanism 12. O

Extending in the general direction of the rack 29 and hence in the general direction of the relative progressive movement and mounted on the front face of mounting plate 28 (see Fig. 1) is the flexible contouring element or strip 38. By reason of its flexibility it is adjustable transversely of the general direction of such progressive movement. A series of, contour determining elements 39 are arranged to bear transversely uponthe strip 38 and determine the form of its contour. These form determining elements 39 are constructed, as shown in Fig. 6, to receive endwise the strip 38 in the shouldered recess 40, to retain it therein against transverse dislodgment by reason of the shoulders 41 and to expose unobstructively throughout its length the under surface of the strip 38 through the open-mouths 42 of the recess. Members 40 are adjustably secured to mounting plate 38 by bolts 43 in transversely extending slots 44. Relative adjustment of the form determining members 39 transversely flexes the strip 38 to any contour desired as clearly appears in Fig. 1.

The under side of the strip 38 as exposed through the mouths 42 of recesses 40 receives the follower 45 in the form of a roller carried at the top of the head stock 22 of the bending mechanism 12 (see Fig. 4 particularly). The arrangement of this roller is such that it constitutes the sole and direct adjusting contact between contoured strip 38 of the work form-determining mechanism and the adjustable head stock 22 bearing the intermediate rolls 16 and 17. This roller is home up against the under side of form 38 constantly by a potential energy device in the form of a spring 46 housed within the head stock (see Figs. 1 and 2) and exerting its pressure between a fixed abutment 47 projected within the hollow of the head stock 22 from the plate 11 and an adjustable abutment 48 in the form of a screw threaded vertically into the top of the head stock 22. Thereby the intermediate rollers 16 and 1'7 and the bending mechanism 12 are caused to be automatically adjusted precisely in accordance with the contour of the strip 38.

The work bending mechanism 12 and the work form-determining mechanism 2'7 are geared together for maintenance of their proportional promeans of meshing roll gears 49 on the shafts 19 and 20 of the inand 1'7) and by means of reducing gear and pinion 52-53, which latter meshes directly with the rack 29. The pivotal axis or shaft 51 of the oscillatable linkage 50 and the shaft 54 of the gears 52-53 are borne from the rear of the plate 11, (Fig. 2), by means of a bracket 55 (see Fig. 3).

Power is applied through the shaft 51 in the instance illustrated by means of a hand crank 56.

The operation of the machine is almost if not quite fully apparent from the drawings and the description up to this point. Suffice it to say but that once the rolls 16 and 17 have been chosen with respect to the section of the work 18 to be rolled, mounted in place and given the proper setting with respect to -each other by means of adjusting screw 26, and once the flexible form strip 38 has been adjusted to contour by the transverse setting of its form determining members 39, and the stops 36have been set to determine the extremes of movement, one has but to insert strip after strip of the work 18 between the rolls of the bending mechanism and on each reciprocation of the forming mechanism 2'7 9. piece of work is completed, accurately bent to the contour of the form outlined by the member 38 and having its section accurately preserved by the complementally sectioned intermediate rolls 16 and 1'7. The close proximity of the extreme rolls 13 to the intermediate rolls 16 and 17 insures bending on smallradii and bending in conjunction with the complementally sectioned rolls 16-17 aids in the maintenance of cross section during bending.

The machine as shown in this embodiment is a reciprocatory machine requiring reversals of relative progression of proportional movement on the completion of each piece of work as a condition precedent to starting a succeeding piece. It is conceivable that other embodiments of the machine might be given a continuous motion of progression in one direction. Many other modiflcations might be made in'other embodiments without departing from the generic spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the circumstantial terminology of the claims should be vested with the generic spirit of the invention in the process 0t their interpretation.

What I claim as new and useful and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:--

1. A progressive work bending machine comprising adjustable work bending mechanism having means for causing relative progressive movement between the work and itself, a relatively progressive work form-determining mechanism for automatically adjusting the said bending mechanism, and means gearing said mechanisms together for equal progressions of movement of the bending mechanism with respect to the work and the work form-determining mechanism with respect to the bending mechanism.

- 2. A progressive work bending machine comprising adjustable work bending mechanism having means for causing relative progressive movement between the work and itself, a relatively progressive work form-determining mechanism for automatically adjusting the said bending mechanism, and gearing connections between said two mechanisms embodying bodily fixed gears driving one mechanism and connected to relatively bodily movable gears connected with the other mechanism.

3. A progressive work bending machine comprising work bending mechanism having means for causing relative progressive movement between the work and itself, a relatively progressive work form-determining mechanism for automatically adjusting the said bending mechanism relative thereto, and means for causing said form mechanism to progress at a rate proportional to the rate of progression of the work with respect to the bending mechanism, together with a potential energy device continuously urging the relatively adjustable elements of said two mechanisms towards each other, and a power drive for said bending mechanism having a gearing connection with the work form-determining mechanism admitting the relative adjustments of said mechanisms while maintaining their proportional progressive movements.

4. A progressive work bending machine comprising adjustable work bending mechanism having means for causing relative progressive move ment between the work and itself, a relatively progressive Work form-determining mechanism for automatically adjusting the said bending mechanism, and means for causing said form-determining mechanism to progress at a rate proportional to the rate of progression of the work with respect to the bending mechanism;

5. A progressive work bending machine comprising adjustable work bending mechanism hav ing means for causing relative progressive movement between the work and itself, a relatively progressive work form-determining mechanism for automatically adjusting the said bending mechanism, means for causing said form-determining mechanism to progress at a rate proportional to the rate of progression of the work with respect to the bending mechanism, and means for adjusting the form-determining mechanism to vary the form of bending.

6. A progressive work bending machine comprising adjustable work bending mechanism having means for causing relative progressive movement between the work and itself, a relatively progressive work form-determining mechanism for automatically adjusting the said bending mechanism, and means for causing said work form-determining mechanism to progress at a.

rate proportional to the rate of progression of the work with respect, to the bending mechanism, said form-determining mechanism comprisinga series of contour determining elements adjustable transversely of the relative direction of progression, of the form-determining mechanism and relatively to each other to vary the form of the bending.

'7. A progressive work bending machine comprising adjustable work bending mechanism having means for causing relative progressive movementbetween the work and itself, a relatively progressive work form-determining mechanism for automatically adjusting the said bending mechanism, and means for causing said formdetermining mechanism to progress at a rate proportional to the rate of progression of the work with respect to the bending mechanism, said form-determining mechanism comprising a flexible contouring element extending in the general direction of relative progression of the form-determining mechanism, and adjustable transversely of said direction to vary the form of the bending.

8. A progressive work bending machine comprising adjustable work bending mechanism having means for causing relative progressive movement between the work and itself, a relatively progressive work form-determining mechanism for automatically adjusting said bending mechanism, and means for causing said formdetermining mechanism to progress at a rate proportional to the rate of progression of the work with respect to the bending mechanism, said form-determining mechanism comprising a continuous flexible contouring element extending 100 generally in the direction of relative progression of the form-determining mechanism and engaging with the bending mechanism, together with a plurality of contour-determining elements along the length of the flexible contouring elements and adjustable transversely thereof to vary its contour.

9. A' progressive work bending machine comprising adjustable work bending mechanism having means for causing relative progressive'movement between the work and itself, "a relatively progressive work form-determining mechanism for automatically adjusting the said bending mechanism, means for causing said form-determining mechanism to progress at a rate proportional to the rate of progression of the work with respect to the bending mechanism, which bending mechanism. comprises three rolls, one of which is adjustable relative to the other two, and means controlled by said form-determining 120 mechanism for automatically adjusting said roll.

10. A progressive work bending machine comprising adjustable work bending mechanism having means for causing relative progressive movement between the work and itself, a relatively 135 progressive work form-determining mechanism for automatically adjusting the said bending mechanism, and means for causing said form-determining mechanism to progress at a rate proportional to the rate of progression of the work 130 with respect to the bending mechanism, together adjustable stops limiting the extent of relative progression in each direction of movement of said mechanism.

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