US3656388A

US3656388A - I-beam cutting machine

Info

Publication number: US3656388A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond L Valente
Original assignee: Manco Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Manco Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1970-02-12
Filing date: 1970-02-12
Publication date: 1972-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-18

Abstract

Shearing apparatus for an I-beam or other similar channel-like structures. Said apparatus is comprised of a frame which supports a fluid operated ram arrangement and various elements which define stationary die blades. Shear blade means are connected with said ram for reciprocal movement, said shear blade means being co-operable with the stationery die blades to effect severing of the I-beam. The shear blade means are defined by a pair of blade members which are in effect mirror image parts. The respective blade members are mounted for pivotal movement relative to the ram and to each other in an outward direction transverse to the axis of the said I-beam. Accordingly, during the severing operation, said members will force the flange portions of the I-beam outwardly to prevent inward curling thereof.

Description

United States Patent 3,656,388 [451 Apr. 18,1972

Valente [54] I-BEAM CUTTING MACHINE [72] Inventor: Raymond L. Valente, Kankakee, Ill. [73] Assignee: Manco Manufacturing Co., Bradley, 11].. [22] Filed: Feb. 12,1970

{21] Appl.No.: 10,807

[ 52] U.S.Cl ..83/456,83/554,83/555, I .83/563 [51] lnt.Cl. ..B26d7/02,B23d 23/00 [58] Field of Search... ..83/52, 555, 554, 651, 454, 83/453,456,563

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,758,019 5/1930 Williams ..83/555 594,019 11/1897 Jefferies ..83/461 1,589,657 6/1926 Pels ...83/555X 861,122 7/1907 John....................................1..,83/554 .786,236 3/1905 Ross ..83/555 Primary Examiner-James M. Meister Attorney-Olson, Trexler, .Wolters & Bushnell [57] ABSTRACT Shearing apparatus for an l-beam or other similar channel-like structures. Said apparatus is comprised of a frame which supports a fluid operated ram arrangement and various elements image parts. The respective blade members are mounted for pivotal movement relative to the ram and to each other in an outward direction transverse to the axis of the said l-beam. Accordingly, during the severing operation, said members will force the flange portions of the l-beam outwardly to prevent inward curling thereof.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 18 1.912

BEST AVAILRELE COPY sum 10F- v2 I N N T01? g m/z. ill/6,46

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to metal fabricating devices, such as shearing presses or the like. More specifically, this invention is concerned with the provision of novel press apparatus for the shearing of I-beams or other similar channellike structures.

Shearing presses of the general type under discussion are well known in the art. These presses are normally hydraulically operated devices, and are comprised of an upright frame; a ram arrangement mounted to said frame and having a reciprocal ram member; and die means for effecting the shearing or severing operation. The die means utilized with these presses may be of various types, but generally include a reciprocal blade that is carried by the ram member and a stationary blade or blades defined by elements supported on the frame. The respective blades define edges which co-operate during the severing of the structural element to produce extremely high, localized shearing forces.

The cross-sectional configuration of an l-beam presents some problems with regard to shearing operations. By way of background, the respective horizontal web and vertical flange portions of an I-beam are of a relatively thin wall construction and must be afforded some degree ofsupport during severing to prevent a buckling or curling thereof. In order to provide the desired support, the normal practice in the art is to employ a pair of jaw members and an anvil member to define the stationary die blades, and also to construct these elements so that they are in supporting engagement with the outer surfaceof the flanges and the underside of the web. Accordingly, with this arrangement, during shearing a substantial degree of support is afforded and relatively satisfactory cuts are obtained.

However, given any number or group of l-beams for a production run, a fabricator will find that each will vary considerably from the others in the wall thickness of the flange and web portions, and in fact, an individual I-beam may vary somewhat in cross-sectional dimensions along its length. Therefore, in commercial shearing operations it is not economically practical to provide an anvil member that exactly matches the contour of the web and flange portions, since this would require frequent and time consuming tool changes. The result of this, is that the anvil is purposely sized to provide a sufficient degree of clearance to accommodate the dimensional variations encountered during a shearing run. Accordingly, taking into account the aforediscussed importance of providing adequate support during shearing, it can be seen that this intentional undersizing of the anvil results in the lower regions of the flange portions not being afforded the degree of support necessary for extremely sharp, clean cuts.

In shearing presses of the general type under discussion, the jaws and the anvil are slotted to accommodate the shear blade such that during the shearing operation a cross-sectional slug or segment is cut out of the l-beam. The reciprocal shear blade used has a tapered downwardly converging edge configuration so that the upper flange portions will be biased outwardly against the jaws to afford initial support. However, as shearing progresses the segments being cut from the flanges will curl outwardly, tending to bias the lower regions thereof inwardly. The result of this, taken in conjunction with the fact that the undersized anvil does not engage the flange portions produces an inward curling in the lower region of the flanges.

As a result of the aforementioned inward curling, sheared lbeam segments must be either cold or hot worked after severing if the cross-sectional integrating thereof must be maintained. As a practical matter, since these beams are normally anchored 'at the ends, it can be seen that this inward curling is more often critical than not.

In addition to the elimination of inward curling, the present invention also provides shearing apparatus which effects cleaner, more commercially desirable cuts. Also, and of considerably importance, existing presses may be modified in accordance with the present invention without considerable expense.

Accordingly, to overcome-the aforementioned problem, the present invention provides novel shearing apparatus which accommodates variations in I-beam contour, but precludes the heretofore troublesome and time consuming inward curling of the flange portions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Specifically, the elimination of the aforementioned problem of inward curling of the lower flange portions of an l-beam during shearing and the attainment of other desirable advantages are realized by the provision of novel shear press apparatus. Said shear press apparatus includes a frame, means carried by said frame for supporting the web and the flange portions of an I-beam during shearing and defining stationary die blades, reciprocal shear blade means co-operable with said stationary blades to effect severing of said web and flange portions, and ram means operably connected to said shear blade, means for effecting reciprocal movement thereof. The shear blade means of the present invention is comprised of a pair of blademembers which are pivotally mounted to said ram and are pivotal relative to each other such that during the shearing operation they will swing outwardly in a direction transverse to the axis of said I-beam to force the lower flange portions of said beam against the adjacent supporting means thereby preventing inward curling of said lower flange portions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of shearing apparatus according to the present invention, with portions thereof broken away to expose to view the interior construction of said apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, having a segment of the ram arrangement broken away to illustrate the details of the jaw and anvil construction;

FIG. 3 is a partial elevational view illustrating the operation of the shear blade means of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a partial elevational view similar to FIG. 3 and il lustrating the problems and manner of operation occasioned with prior art shearing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Attention is now invited to the drawings wherein an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, with like parts being designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures. A shearing press incorporating features of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and designated generally 10. The shearing press or device 10 is of a general overall construction somewhat similar to those known in the art, and as illustrated in co-pending application, Ser. No. 794,582, now US. Pat. No. 3,559,522. That is, the press is comprised of a frame 12, a ram member 14 and a die assembly 16. The ram 14 is a hydraulically operated device, and in practice is associated with a ram housing (not shown) having a fluid piston arrangement (also not shown) contained therein. This housing is normally mounted in superposed relation to the frame 12 and is operably connected to the ram 14 to effect reciprocal movement thereof. Also, for purposes of disclosure, it should be noted that a hydraulic power unit of conventional construction is connected to the housing to provide the actuating fluid for the piston arrangement. Since the aforediscussed piston arrangement and hydraulic power unit are both of conventional construction and well known in the art, they have not been illustrated and a further detailed explanation thereof is not deemed necessary.

The basic overall construction of the press 10 is best viewed with reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2. In this regard, the base 12 includes a lower portion 20 and a pair of upright support standards 22 on opposite sides of the machine work area, which is designated generally 24. The specific purpose of the standards 22 will become more apparent as the detailed description of the press 10 is evolved hereinafter. However, it should be noted that the standards 22 may be extended upwardly so as to provide support for the hydraulic piston arrangement, or separate supporting means may be employed in this regard.

Keeping in mind the fact that the shearing device is designed primarily for the severing of an I-beam which is designated 26, or other similar channel-like members, the general operation and construction of the device 10 will now be considered. In this regard, the die unit 16 effects the shearing operation in a well known manner. Basically, this die unit is comprised of a reciprocal shear blade means 30 operably connected to the ram 14, and a stationary die blade arrangement co-operable with said shear blade means 30 and to be discussed in detail more completely hereinafter.

The frame 12 carried various elements which define stationary die blades co-operable with the reciprocal shear blade means 30 to effect a severing of the I-beam 26. As was discussed previously, the elements which comprise the stationary die blades provide the required support for the flange portions 32 and the web portion 34 of the l-beam, sufiicient to permit the severing thereof without excessive buckling.

More specifically, the elements defining the stationary die blades include include a pair of jaws 36 positioned on opposite sides of the work area 24, and an anvil element 38 carried by the lower portion of the frame 12 in the work area 24. The jaws 36 are slidably supported by the standards 22 for recipro cal movement in slots 40 which in effect define a passageway or channel for said jaws. The anvil 38, on the other hand, is fixedly but removably attached to the lower frame portion by a series of set screws 42.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, wherein segments of the apparatus 10 are broken away to facilitate a view of the elements thereof, it can be seen that jaws 36 and the anvil 38 include slots 44 and 46 respectively. These slots 44 and 46 align with each other, as well as with an opening 47 (FIG. 1) in the lower portion 20 of the frame, which opening 47 communicates with a scrap box (not shown). Accordingly, it can be seen that the respective, co-operating slots 44 and 46 define a space for the accommodation and reception of the shear blade means 30. This general overall construction is rather conventional, and in effect provides a series of co-operating shearing edges, which include the edges 50 on the shear blade means 30, the edges 52 on the anvil 38, and the edges 54 on the jaw elements 36. Thus, during reciprocal movement of the shear blade means 30 the edges 50 co-operate with the

edges

52 and 54 on the anvil 38 and the jaws 36 to provide a shearing action sufficient to sever a slug or chip from the I-beam 26.

It most certainly can be appreciated that the portions of the anvil 38 and the jaws 36 which define the aforementioned shearing edges are subject to extremely high cutting forces and accordingly are susceptible to wear. Thus, for economic reasons these edges are often defined by removable, replaceable shims or inserts constructed of an extremely durable high speed cutting steel.

Shearing presses of a general type similar to the press 10 illustrated in the drawings must be able to accommodate 1- beams of various sizes. Accordingly, the opposed jaws 36 are mounted for adjustable control movement toward and away from the work area 24 so that they may be brought into supporting engagement with the outer surfaces of the I-beam flange portions 32, irrespective of the cross-sectional width of the beam. In the illustrated embodiment, a fluid operated, double-acting piston arrangement 62 is operably connected with each said jaw 36 to effect the aforementioned desired movement. Each piston arrangement 62 includes a piston rod 64 connected to the associated jaw member 36 to transmit motion thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 2, for a more complete understanding of the overall disposition of the piston arrangement 62, it can be seen that the right-hand arrangement, as viewed and designated 62', includes a pair of T-shaped fittings 66 which communicate with the opposed chambers of said arrangement 62'. Each fitting 66 includes an inlet 68 and a pair of

outlets

70 and 72. The outlets 72 are connected to the fluid chambers of piston 62', while the outlets 68 are coupled to a source of actuating fluid. A pair of

fluid lines

74 and 76 operably interconnect the opposed fluid chambers of the left-hand piston arrangement 62" with the fitting 66 coupled to the corresponding chamber of the right-hand piston arrangement 62 by means of the outlets 70. Accordingly, it can be seen that joint, co-extensive movement of the opposed jaws 36 will result from this interconnection of the corresponding, opposed chambers of the piston arrangement 62' and 62" so that a proper centering action of the jaws 36 with respect to the work area 24 will be realized.

It is to be understood that various forms of drive means may be employed for the jaws 36 and that the double-acting piston arrangements 62 shown in the drawings are merely a preferred embodiment.

Recalling the prior discussion, shearing presses of the general type under consideration must be such that they can accommodate an extremely wide range of variances in the cross-sectional configuration of the l-beams to be sheared. lbeams are not formed with any great precision and the dimensions thereof will fluctuate within a wide range. While these variances are easily accommodated by the adjustable mounting of the jaws 36, the anvil 38 is a stationary element and must be undersized somewhat to assure that all the variances encountered may be accommodated without the need for numerous tool changes. That is, if the configuration of the anvil 38 closely conforms to that of the I-beam 26, said anvil would require changing when an extremely wide range of variances are encountered. Therefore, the anvil 38 must be sufficiently undersized to accommodate the smallest or narrowest distance between the flange portions 32 that will be encountered.

Therefore, when the shearing operation is taking place at a location where the distance between the flanges 32 is not the smallest encountered, a space 78 will exist between the vertical surface of the anvil 38 in the interior or medial surfaces of the flanges 32.

The overall construction of the shear press 10 described up to this point conforms generally to that of conventional presses. Before discussing the features of the present invention which distinguish it from the prior art presses, attention is invited to FIG. 4 for a discussion of the problems occasioned with said prior art presses. More specifically, with prior art devices a conventional one-piece shear blade means, designated 30, is employed. Accordingly, during the downward stroke of the one-piece shear blade 30', a slug or section of the beam is severed as indicated at 80. While the severing of the upper portion of the flanges 32 and the web 34 of the l-beam 26 can be performed without complications, such is not the case with regard to the lower regions of the flanges 32. That is, due to the undersizing of the anvil 38 and the existence of the space 76, provided between said anvil and the inner or medial surface of the lower flange portion, as the slug 80 is being severed there is a tendency for the lower edge surface thereof to turn or curl inwardly, as indicated at 84. The end result of this fact is that a degree of distortion in the cross-sectional configuration in the lower regions of the flanges 32 occurs immediately adjacent each cut or severed end.

To avoid the aforediscussed problem found in the prior art devices, the present invention provides a novel shear blade arrangement. This arrangement is such that an undersizing of the anvil 38 can still be employed to pennit an accommodation of beam size variances, while preventing the aforementioned inward curling of the lower flange 32 during shearing.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the shear blade means 30 of the illustrated embodiment of the invention include a pair of blade members and 92. The

blades

90, 92 are in effect mirror image parts, which when positioned as shown in FIG. 1, approximate the general shape or configuration of a conventional shear blade, such as 30' shown in FIG. 4.

Each

blade member

90, 92 is connected to the ram 14 by a link 94, 96. The connections of the links 94, 96 to the ram 14,

and to the respective blade members90, 92 are articulated connections which permit

blade members

90, 92 to pivot relative to the ram 14 and to said links. Each

blade member

90, 92 also includes an extension or

integral link portion

100, 102 which are disposed transversely to the pathof movement of the ram 14 and extend outwardly away from each other. The purpose and function of the integral link portions 100,102 will be discussed more completely hereinafter.

Looking now to the left-hand portion of FIG. 1, as viewed, it can be seen that the foremost one of the pair of standards 22 has been broken away to expose to view the interior construction of the apparatus in this area. Before proceeding, however, it should be understood that the construction of the right-hand portion of the device 10 is similar to that illustrated and to be discussed with regard to said exposed, left-hand portion.

Specifically, the pair of upright standards 22 on both sides of the blade means 30 include or define channels 104, 106 which extend parallel to the path of the blade means 30 and communicate with the slots 44 in jaws 36. Disposed in the respective channels 104, 106 areguides 108, 110. Each said guide is free to move or slide longitudinally of its channel, and is connected to the

integral link portions

100 or 102 of the

adjacent blade members

90 or 92. These connections of the guide members 108, 110 to the blade members 90, 92' are also of the articulated variety so that said

blade members

90, 92 may pivot with respectto said guides 108,110.

In addition, a pair of rollers or

bearings

112, 114 are'provided, one said roller being disposed on each side of the work area 24. These

rollers

112, 114 are journalled by the standards 22 in recesses 1'16, 118 and extend therefrom into the channels 104, 106 to engage the edge surface of the

integral link portions

100 and 102 to guide their movement in conjunction with the respective guides 108, 110. a

The channels 104 and 106for guides 108 and 110 are of a diameter or width at their upper extremities sufficient to accommodate said guides. As can be seen by comparing the lefthand portion of FIG. 1 with the right, the guides 108, 110 are of a U-shaped or bifurcated construction having flange-like portions extending parallel to the opposite surfaces of the

blade members

90, 92. Accordingly, the channels 104 and 106 accommodate the guides 108, 110, as well as the

integral link portions

100, 102.

At a predetermined distance from the upper ends of said channels 104 and 106, there are provided shoulders 120 and 122 which extend inwardly and drastically reduce the effective width of said channels. The shoulders 120 and 122 provide stop means against which the guides 108, 110 engage to preclude further downward movement thereof. That is to say, while the channels 104, 106 extend downwardly past the shoulders 120 and 122 to communicate with slots 44 of the jaws 36, the width of each said channel in the lower region thereof is such that it can accommodate only the

blade member

90 or 92.

The operation of the disclosed shearing press will now be considered in detail, keeping in mind the foregoing description of the general construction of the press 10 and the immediately preceding description of the novel blade means 30 of the present invention. Initially, the elements are in the condition as shown in FIG. 1. That is, the

blade members

90, 92 and the ram 14 are in the raised or elevated position. The I- beam 26 is disposed in the work area 24 and positioned relative to the blade means 30 to provide the length of cut desired. Ascan be'seen, the flange portions 32 straddle the anvil 38, with the upper surface of said anvil engaged against the web portion 34 of the I-beam. The double acting piston arrangements 62 have been employed previously to advance the jaws 36 into supporting engagement with the outer surface of the respective flange portions 32 of said I-beam. Thus, the beam 26 is now supported sufficiently to permit commencement of the shearing operation, which is initiated by downward move ment of the ram 14. The ram 14 is controlled by means of a double-acting piston associated therewith, and not illustrated, as mentioned previously.

As the ram 14 is moved downwardly, the blade members and 92, as well as the guides 108 and also move downwardly. The aforediscussed shearing edges 50, 52 and 54 will co-operate to initiate the shearing operation of the web portion 34 and the upper regions of flanges 32 of the I-beam. The shearing operation effected with the present invention is essentially the same as that provided with the conventional shearing apparatus of FIG. 4' during the initial stages when

blade elements

90 and 92 are disposed as seen in FIG. 1. However, as the ram 14 moves downwardly, the guides 108 and 110 will engage the shoulders and 122 to preclude further downward movement thereof. Continued downward move ment of the ram 14 will cause the

respective blade elements

90 and 92 topivot outwardly relative to said ram 14 and each other in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 3 by the arrows 125. Theresult of this outward pivotal movement of the

respective blade members

90, 92, is that the shearing edges 50 on said

blade members

90 and 92 move outwardly to force the lower portions of flanges 32 against the supporting surfaces on the jaws 36. Accordingly, by this outward movement, the shearing edges 50 on the blade member and 54 on said jaws, co-operate to shear or sever the lower flange portions while they are being biased outwardly into engagement with the jaws 36. Accordingly, any tendency for the flanges 32 to-curl inwardly is positively precluded.

Thus, with the illustrated embodiment 10 of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a clean out, while preserving the integrity of the cross-sectional configuration of the beam 26. Furthermore, this result is achieved without elimination of the aforediscussed advantages afforded by use of an undersized anvil 38.

While a preferred form or embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and described, those skilled in the art will realize that certain modifications, structural changes or substitutions may be effected without departing from the present invention. For example, it is realized that means other than the illustrated structure may be used to attain the desired, outward pivotal movement of the blade member. Accordingly, the present invention is to be considered not only with regard to the drawings and specification, but also in light of the appended claims which define the spirit and scope thereof.

Iclaim:

1. Metal fabricating apparatus for the shearing of I-beams, or similar channeldike structural elements, and including: a frame; shear blade means; means carried by said frame for supporting the web and flange portions of an I-beam during shearing and defining stationary die blades, which stationary die blades cooperate with said shear blade means to effect severing of said l-beams; and ram means adapted to be operably connected to said shear blade means for effecting reciprocal movement thereof; said shear blade means comprising: a pair of mirror image blade members having inner edge surfaces disposed vertically and in contiguous relation prior to shearing and shearing edges formed on the bottom and outer edge surfaces of said members for cooperation with said stationary die blades, and means mounting said blade member for pivotal movement relative to the ram and the frame, which include; a pair of first pivotal connections comprised of a pair of separate links joined to said ram means and to respective blade members to provide an articulated joint, an integral link portion forward on each said blade member extending outwardly away from said inner edge surfaces, a pair of guide members disposed on opposite sides of the ram means and being mounted for limited vertical movement, a second pair of pivotal connections joining the integral link portions to said guide members, and stop means for limiting the downward movement of each said guide member, such that during the downward movement of the ram means said blade members will first move vertically to engage said I-beam and initiate shearing and upon engagement of said guide members with the stop means, said member will be free to pivot outwardly relative to each other and said ram means in a direction transverse to the axis of said beam, whereby to force the flange portions of said beam into engagement with the adjacent supporting means to effect shearingof said flange portions while preventing inward curling thereof.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means adapted to support the flange and web portions of the l-beam and defining the stationary die blades include, a pair of relatively movable jaw members on opposite sides of said blade means, which are adapted to engage and support the outer surfaces of said flange portions, and an anvil member carried by the frame and disposed to engage the web portion of said 1- beam on a side opposite the first engaged by said blade means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a pair of rollers, each said roller being positioned to engage an outer edge of said blade members to facilitate both the downward and pivotal movement thereof.

4. A metal fabricating apparatus for shearing I-beams or similar channel-like structural elements, and including: a frame; shear blade means; means carried by said frame for supporting the web and flange portions of an I-beam during shearing and defining stationary die blades, which stationary die blades cooperate with said shear blade means to effect severing of said l-beams; and ram means, operatively connected to said shear blade means for effecting reciprocal movement thereof; said shear blade means comprising a pair of mirror image blade members having inner edge surfaces disposed vertically and in a contiguous relation prior to shearing and shearing edges formed on the bottom and outer edge surfaces thereof for cooperation with said stationary die blades, and mounting means for said blade members adapting same for pivotal movement relative to the ram and the frame, said mounting means including a pair of separate link members joined to the ram means and to the respective blade members proximate their contiguous inter edge surfaces by pivotal connections thereby providing an articulated joint, such that during downward movement of the blade member during shearing the shearing edges of said blade members may pivot and move outwardly relative to the ram means whereby said shearing edges will be forced into engagement with the flange portions of said l-beam, biasing said flange portions into engagement with the adjacent supporting means thereby effecting shearing of said flange portions while preventing inward curling thereof.

Claims

1. Metal fabricating apparatus for the shearing of I-beams, or similar channel-like structural elements, and including: a frame; shear blade means; means carried by said frame for supporting the web and flange portions of an I-beam during shearing and defining stationary die blades, which stationary die blades cooperate with said shear blade means to effect severing of said I-beams; and ram means adapted to be operably connected to said shear blade means for effecting reciprocal movement thereof; said shear blade means comprising: a pair of mirror image blade members having inner edge surfaces disposed vertically and in contiguous relation prior to shearing and shearing edges formed on the bottom and outer edge surfaces of said members for cooperation with said stationary die blades, and means mounting said blade member for pivotal movement relative to the ram and the frame, which include; a pair of first pivotal connections comprised of a pair of separate links joined to said ram means and to respective blade members to provide an articulated joint, an integral link portion forward on each said blade member extending outwardly away from said inner edge surfaces, a pair of guide members disposed on opposite sides of the ram means and being mounted for limited vertical movement, a second pair of pivotal connections joining the integral link portions to said guide members, and stop means for limiting the downward movement of each said guide member, such that during the downward movement of the ram means said blade members will first move vertically to engage said Ibeam and initiate shearing and upon engagement of said guide members with the stop means, said member will be free to pivot outwardly relative to each other and said ram means in a direction transverse to the axis of said beam, whereby to force the flange portions of said beam into engagement with the adjacent supporting means to effect shearing of said flange portions while preventing inward curling thereof.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means adapted to support the flange and web portions of the I-beam and defining the stationary die blades include, a pair of relatively movable jaw members on opposite sides of said blade means, which are adapted to engage and support the outer surfaces of said flange portions, and an anvil member carried by the frame and disposed to engage the web portion of said I-beam on a side opposite the first engaged by said blade means.

4. A metal fabricating apparatus for shearing I-beams or similar channel-like structural elements, and including: a frame; shear blade means; means carried by said frame for supporting the web and flange portions of an I-beam during shearing and defining stationary die blades, which stationary die blades cooperate with said shear blade means to effect severing of said I-beams; and ram means, operatively connected to said shear blade means for effecting reciprocal movement thereof; said shear blade means comprising a pair of mirroR image blade members having inner edge surfaces disposed vertically and in a contiguous relation prior to shearing and shearing edges formed on the bottom and outer edge surfaces thereof for cooperation with said stationary die blades, and mounting means for said blade members adapting same for pivotal movement relative to the ram and the frame, said mounting means including a pair of separate link members joined to the ram means and to the respective blade members proximate their contiguous inter edge surfaces by pivotal connections thereby providing an articulated joint, such that during downward movement of the blade member during shearing the shearing edges of said blade members may pivot and move outwardly relative to the ram means whereby said shearing edges will be forced into engagement with the flange portions of said I-beam, biasing said flange portions into engagement with the adjacent supporting means thereby effecting shearing of said flange portions while preventing inward curling thereof.