U-Bolt bending machine

Claim 2

In a bending machine for bending metal stock to produce Ubolts and the like, a longitudinally extending table having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein; an elongated slidable power member underlying said slot, means slidably capturing said power member to said table in a slidable and abutting manner to slidably engage abuting surfaces of said power member and said table; a mandrel attached to said power member and having a free marginal end portion extending through said slot; a movable die affixed to the marginal free end portion of said mandrel; spaced fixed dies equally spaced apart and from said movable die; spaced arms pivotally secured to said table and having a swingable end to which there is attached said fixed die; means for reciprocating said power member to move said mandrel along said slot to cause said movable die to move between said fixed dies; so that the central marginal length of a piece of metal stock placed against said fixed dies can be engaged by said movable die and bent into a curved configuration.

Claim 3

The machine of claim 1 wherein said pivoted end of said spaced arms are adjustably secured to one another by a tie rod; means for adjusting the effective length of said tie rod, thereby enabling selection of the distance between said fixed dies.

Claim 4

The machine of claim 2 wherein said fixed dies include means rotatably securing them in fixed relationship to said arm.

Claim 5

The machine of claim 1 wherein said power member is a rectangular member, and said means slidably capturing said power member is opposed downwardly depending web members which form said table into a monocoque configuration, the lowermost marginal longitudinally extending edge portion of said web members being inwardly turned for bottom supporting said power member therefrom.

Claim 6

The machine of claim 1 wherein said means for reciprocating said power member is a hydraulic cylinder, and biasing means are attached between said power member and said table for returning said power member to a position of rest; a fixed ear downwardly attached to said table, a pin received through said ear and the cylinder of said hydraulic unit, a movable ear downwardly attached to said power member, a pin received through said ear and the piston of said hydraulic unit, said biasing means affixed to said pins and biasing them toward one another.

Claim 7

In a machine for bending a bendable member such as rods, bars, tubes, u-bolts, and the like, the combination comprising a stationary plate member having a longitudinally disposed slot formed therein, a mandrel received through said slot and movable longitudinally along the length thereof, a bending die affixed to said mandrel and movable therewith; a power member underlying said plate member, means moving said power member along the length of said slot, said mandrel being affixed to said power member and movable therewith; a pair of spaced arms located on either side of the slot, each said arm is pivotally secured to said plate member, means forming a fixed die at one end of each arm, means by which said fixed dies may be moved toward one another, said fixed dies being arranged respective to said bending die so that the latter is moved through the former by the action of said power member; So that the bendable member can be placed with the fixed and bending dies arranged on opposite sides thereof, the power member moved along the slot, thereby causing the dies to engage and deform the bendable member into a bent configuration.

Claim 8

In a machine for bending a bendable member such as rods, bars, tubes, u-bolts, and the like, the combination comprising a stationary plate member having a longitudinally disposed slot formed therein, a mandrel received through said slot and movable longitudinally along the length thereof, a bending die affixed to said mandrel and movable therewith; a power member underlying said plate member, means moving said power member along the length of said slot, said mandrel being affixed to said power member and movable therewith; a pair of spaced arms located on either side of the slot, each said arm is pivotally secured to said plate member, means forming a fixed die at one end of each arm, means by which said fixed dies may be moved toward one another, said fixed dies being arranged respective to said bending die so that the latter is moved through the former by the action of said power member; So that the bendable member can be placed with the fixed and bending dies arranged on opposite sides thereof, the power member moved along the slot, thereby causing the dies to engage and deform the bendable member into a bent configuration.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6, wherein said mandrel is removably affixed to said power member; and, said bending die is removably affixed to said mandrel; said bending die having a flat leading edge portion bounded on either side thereof by a curved trailing surface, with the curved trailing surface having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature desired of the bent member.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 6 wherein said bending die is a cylindrical member except for the leading edge portion thereof which is made into a flat surface for initially contacting the bendable member.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 6 wherein said bending die has a cylindrical geometrical configuration with the leading edge portion thereof being flat so that the flat leading edge portion first contacts the bendable member and thereafter the spaced curved portion of the cylinder contacts the bendable member.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 6 wherein said power member is an elongated square piece of metal stock, means slidably capturing said power member in underlying abutting relationship respective to the lower surface of said plate member; said means for moving said power member being a hydraulic cylinder interposed between the plate member and the power member; and further including means for controlling the action of said hydraulic cylinder so that the poiston thereof reciprocates in either of its two directions of movement.