US1727918A - Machine for corrugating metal tubes - Google Patents

Description

J. A. ZIEGLER MACHINE FOR CORRUGATING METAL TUBES se uo, 1929.

Filed April 17, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet Jrwa Jam/HZ Zia gr aw me E w nk Se t. 10, 1929. J. A. ZIEGLER MACHINE FOR CORRUGATING METAL TUBES I Filed April 17, 1925 6 sheetsvsheet Joram Sept. 10, 1929- A J. A. ZIEGLER 1,727,918

MACHINE FOR CORRUGATING METAL TUBES Filed April 17, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 J. A. ZIEGLER MACHINE FOR CORRUGATING METAL TUBES Se t. 10, 1929.

6 Sheet S-Sheet 4 Filed April 1'7, 1925 P 1929- J. A. ZIEGLER MACHINE FOR CQRRUGATING METAL TUBES Filed April 17, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 p 10, 1929- J. A. ZIEGLEIR 3,727,918

MACHINE FOR CORRUGATING METAL TUBES Filed April 17, 1925 6 Sheets-She t 5 ifrfi U06 ,9 j 90.

fizz/67223 7 Patented Sept. 10, 192 9.

UNITED STATES PATENT-,OFFICE.

JOBAM A. ZIEGLER, OF LA CROSSE, WISCONSm', ASSIGNOB TO THE TBANE COMPANY,

OF LA CBOSSE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION. 1

MACHINE FOB CORRUGA'IING METAL TUBES.-

Application filed 4 m 17, 1925. Serial No. 23,792.

The invention relates to machines for corrugating metal tubes.

The object of the invention is to produce a device for forming transverse corrugations 5 in metal tubes that shall expedite the formation of such corrugations, and give to them a superiorquality. It has been a usual practice in forming such corrugations, and'particularly in forming such corrugations in thin walled tubes used in the production of what is known in the art as flexible metal bellows, to roll or form by some other process applied to the metal, outwardly extending broad corrugations, leaving therebetween uncorrugated portions; or by using a series of corrugation forming rolls having a multiplicity of outwardly extending corrugating beads, all formed in a unit, and operating as a unit to form a multiplicity of corrugations simultaneously. Such rolls have been applied to one face of the tube upon which the work is being done, accompanied by a companion roll applied to the opposite side of the tube, the beads of which are arranged to pass between the beads of the opposed roll. It has been believed that such corrugations could not be formed unless there was a resistance upon one face of the tube to the operation of the corrugation forming elements on the other side. But I have found a serious objection to either method, in that the first mentioned process is slow and cumbersome, the corrugations being formed singly, and fail to produce that uniformity in the shape of the corrugations that is desirable, and at some period in the process of forming the corrugations, requires an additional operation to properly treat the uncorrugated portion left between the corrugated portions. form all of the corrugations at once, there is found to be an undue stretching of the metal between the rolls, because the friction engendered at the bends of the rollsprevents that lateral flow of the metal that tends to produce the best quality of corrugations. In my improved process, I employ separate corrugating elements within and without the tube, each series of elements operating vdistinctively separately from the longitudinally adjoining series, the inner series being also When it is attempted to separate from the outer series and longitudinally spaced therefrom, I provide a longitudinal connection between the inner and outerdevice thatcauses the elements to form successively the corrugations intheir proper or-' der, one after the other. In this mode of forming the'corrugations'I find that I am able to produce a more uniform seriesrof inner and outer corrugations than has heretofore been the case, and the time involved in forming the entire series of corru ations is but a fraction of the. time require by previous methods.

The particular formzof the invention disclosed herein consists of inner and outer cylinders in fixed relation to each other in whlch are placed longitudinal series of balls, 9. plurality of balls in each circumferential series,-

the inner series being .in'staggered' relation to the outer series, the outer balls being arranged to move radially inward against the outer face of the tube upon which the operav tion is being performed, to produce inwardly entending corrugations, and the inner balls being adapted to move outwardly against the inner face 'to form outwardly extending corrugations, properly spaced from its adjacent corrugation as to form a continuous uninterrupted connection therewith. The outer series of balls is operated by a ring movin longitudinall of the cylinder, to force t e balls inward y, and the inner cylinder' containing a thrust bar having an element that also successively moves upon the innerballs and forces them outwardl ,the inner and outer corrugations so forme having uninterrupted or unbroken connection with each other. Inasmuch as it is desirable for some purposes-to have inner corrugations formed first in order, as well as to have them Figure l is a plan of the machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a plan of the corrugation-forming part of the machine, parts being shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of the machine on the line EE of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a part of the machine, showing the tail stock set back for the insertion of a tube to be operated upon.

' Fig. 6 is the same-showing as made'in Fig.

5, but with the tube inserted in the clutch.

Fig. 7 shows the same parts'as in F ig. 6 but with the tube partially withdrawnv from the cylinders, and corrugations formed on the withdrawn portion.

Fig. 8 shows the same parts, with the tube entirely withdrawn, fully corrugated.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross section of the device, showing the outer ring and the inner thrust bar in co-operating position against the balls, the ring and bar being adjusted to form the corrugations successively in time,

the outer corrugation being the first formed.

Fig. 9 shows the resulting form of the tube after the operation shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 10 shows the same arrangement as in Fig. 9, but with the inner corrugation formed after the outer corrugation has been formed.

Fig. 10* shows the resulting form of the tube after the operation shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 11 shows the same arrangement as in Fig. 9 but with the balls in position after the formation of the second outer corrugation.

Fig. 11 shows the resultant form of the tube after the operation shown in Fig. 11. i

Fig. 12 shows a different adjustment of the ring and thrust bar, whereby an inner and an outer corrugation are formed as a couplet and simultaneously, after an initial outer corrugation has been formed.

Fig. 12 shows the resultant shape of the tube. The operation in Fig. 12 has not yet begun, butthe parts are ready to form the couplets.

i Fig. 13 shows the balls as having formed an inner and an outer corrugation simultaneous- 1y, with the same adjustment as shown in Fig. 12. Y

Fig. 1'3 shows the resultant form of the tube after the operation shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 14 shows the position of the parts ready to begin the formation of a second couplet simultaneously, with the same adjustment as shown in Fig. 12. 3

Fig. 15 shows the position of the parts after the coinpletion ofthe second couplet of corrugations simultaneously.

Fig. 15 shows the form of the tube after the operation shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 16 shows an arrangement in which the inner corrugation'is formed beforethe formation of the-outer corrugation.

Fig.16 shows the form of tube after the operation-shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 17 shows an arrangement in which the tube has been formed with the inner corrugations formed first in line as well as first in time.

Fig. 18 shows an arrangement in which there are no outer balls, the inner balls showing a method of forming only outer corrugatioBns. 3'- tube.

Fig. 19 shows an arrangement in which only inner corrugations are formed.

Fig. 19 shows the resultant form of tube.

Fig. 20 is diagrammatic, showing where the temper and toughness is placed in the forming of the outer corrugation.

18" shows the resultant form of the Fig." 21 shows where the temper is placed.

in both the'inn'er and outer corrugation, and the overlapping of the temper on each face at the dividing line between the connecting corrugations. Fig. 22 is a detail showing the manner in which the double cammed head of the thrust bar can revolve in the end of the bar.

Figs. 23 and 2 1 (Sheet 1) are details of the clutch for the tube.

Fig. 25 (Sheet- 2) is an enlarged view of the end of the tube as shown in Fig. 17, showing the inner and outer corrugations with respect to the original line of the tube wall. 7

. In the drawings-the letter A designates the metal-tube upon which the operations of the machine are conducted. The numeral 20 indicates the frame of the machine generally, 21 the head stock at the forward end of the frame, 22 the front and 23 rear bearings on the headstock, 24 a hollow shaft rotatable in the bearings 2223, 24- a threaded rear end of the shaft, upon which a clutch de-.

vice is secured, as shown in Fig. 3. Upon the hollow shaft is secured the driving pulley 25 stepped to permit'of variations in speed of the shaft, and operated by any suitable source of power, as by belt or electric motor. Arranged concentrically with the axis of the hollow shaft 24 and ali ned therewith and placed toward the rear end of the machine is an inner cylinder 26 and sustained at its rear end by a proper support described below. At

the rear end of the inner cylinder there is provided a hollow portion 26 provided with threads for the reception of a thread d sh nk 26, the rear end of the inner cylinder being thereby supported fixedly in the tail stock of the machine, against rotation.

Formed in the walls of the inner cylinder, '26,-are-radial series of perforations 26", the

inner-ends of such radial perforations being contracted, as at 26, the purpose of which is to prevent the contained'balls from dropping to .the interior of the cylinder when the machine is at rest. These radial perforations circumferentially around the inner cylinder, are aligned with each other. in a straight line in that direction. In practice I havefound that I secured'very satisfactory results byhaving three of such balls in the circumferentialline, equally spaced apart. It will be seen that the arrangement described permits the balls to moveradially outwardly when a proper moving force is applied. 27 indicates the corrugating balls placed within the radial perforations.

28 indicates a sl1oul fm'mod on the forward portion of the rear end of the inner cylinder, this being desirable to permit of the free movement of the two cylinders in making longitudinal adjustments and to give open space between the inner wall of the outer cylinder and the outer wall of the inner cylinder, as illustrated in Fig. 3 at the right hand thereof on the drawing. This transverse space provides a receptacle for the rear end of the tube A when it is in its place in the machine, as shown in the same figure.

29 is the outer'cylmder, also arranged concentrically with the axis of the shaft 24:, surrounding the inner cylinder, and radially spaced to leave an opening between the outer face of the inner cylinder and its own inner face, for the insertion of the tube A and the proper operation of the contained balls in forming the desired corrugations inward and outward. At the rear end of the outer cylinder there is provided a threaded portion 29,

whereby is provided a threaded adjustment 29 between the two cylinders, the adjustment of which places the two series of balls circumferentially considered nearer together or further apart in longitudinal relation. 30 is a threaded collar mounted on the threads of the inner cylinder and surrounding the outer cylinder, and is in the nature of a jam nut, used, after the two cylinders have been properly longitudinally adjusted, to hold the two cylinders in their" adjusted position. In the outer cylinder are provided a longitudinal series of perforations 29, which are also arranged in circumferentially aligned series, in usual practice three such perforations e( uall s )tlCtXl circlnnferentiall ivin satis'factory results. But in the inner and the outer cylinders the number of perforations,

for the accommodation of the corrugation forming elements may be varied to suit the quality of the work. The number of perforations longitudinally along thetwo cylinders v.11! be governed by the number of corrugations to be formed in the tube A. But it is notessential that-the number of perforations circumferentially aligned be the same'in'the outer and the inner cylinders. Becausethe metal to be worked is usually of about .008

inch in thickness, it is desirable that the perforations in the outer cylinder be not longitudinally aligned with the perforations of the inner cylinder. The outer ends of the perforations of the outer cylinder are contracted as at 29 to prevent the escape outwardly of? the contained balls 29 due' to centrifugal force or any other cause. lrVhen proper force is applied these balls 29 are made to travel inwardly to form inwardly extending corrugations in the wall of the tube A. r

32 is the tail stock, of ordinary structure, the interior of which is provided withthe usual connections with the frame and having the usual hand wheel 32 for operating the adjusting screw to move the stock to various positions on the frame. 32 indicates the interiorly threaded socket for the screw- 0f the 32 is a socket formed in the '90 hand wheel. forward end of the tail stock to receive the rear end of the shank 26 uponwhich the rear end of the inner. cylinder ismounted' as i' above described. 32 is a clamp in the tail stock for holding the shank 26 infposition. 33 is a clutch secured to the front end of the driving shaft 24: by means of the rear threaded portion 24, the clutch being adapted to receive and hold the forward end of the tube A in fixed relation to the shaft 24 so as to be rotated thereby. In this clutch are adjusting screws 33 for controlling the clamping action of the clutch. Interiorly of the clutelris placed a split ring or collar 33", which isthe particular part of the clutch that grasps the forward end of tube A and holds it firmly radially against the rear end of a shank-33 of the clutch, as shown in Fig. 24, the shank 33 being of reduced diameter, such reduced diameter leaving a shoulder 33, against which the tube A firmlv seats longitudinally when in clutched position.

34 indicates a pair of brackets or bearings on the head stock transversely spaced'apart,

35 are transversely spaced parallel, shifting rods longitudinally sliding in the bearings 34, 35 are threaded adjustable forwards ends of the rods 35, 36 is a cross bar between the forward ends of the rods 35 to secure simultaneous and equal movement of the two rods when adjusted, 36 is a forwardly projecting bracket or lug on the cross bar :36, 37 is a tation being caused by the rotation of the balls that is given them by the rotation of ,the tube A. 39 is a clamping and adjusting nut to permit of the longitudinal 1(l]llStmentof the bar 39 and hold it in adjusted relation'with respect to the cross bar and the rods It will be seen that the bar 39 in whatever position it is adjusted, moves simultaneously with the rods 35, but without ad-' justing the rods 35. The rods 35 may, by reason of their arrangement at their forward ends, as shown in Fig. 1, be longitudinally adjusted with respect to the cross bar; thus a double means of longitudinally, adjusting the two rods 35 and the interior rod 39, with respect to each other is provided.

Fixed upon the respectlve rear ends of the rods 35, and longitudinally adjusted when the rods 35 are longitudinallyadjusted, and longitudinally shifted by the operation of the lever 38, is a head 40 having opposed lugs 40 for attachment to the rear ends of the rods 35, and held in their attached positions with the clamping nuts 41". In the periphery of the head 40 is a raceway 40 and upon the ball-operating ring 40 is a cooperating race way 40, within which are placed ball bearing balls 40, for the usual purpose of reducing friction. Secured within the head 40 is a ball operating ring 40 adapted to revolve within the head; the inner face of the ring 40 is provided with a double cammed bead'O This rin 40 is longitudinally shifted with the shifting of the rods 35, as above explained, and slides along the outer face of the outer cylinder, and as it is shifted, successively comes in contact with the successively adj acent balls 29", which in operation project somewhat from the outer face of the cylinder, and are resultantly forced radially inwardly against the outer face of'the tube A, and, as the tube itself is in rapid rotation, the three balls come in simultaneous contact with the tube and against all parts of the circumference of the tube, to form the inwardlyprojecting corrugation. Because of the mchned or beveled sides of the. bead 40 the radial travel of the corrugating balls is gradual and puts no sudden strain on the structure of the metal; A retaining plate 40 is placed upon the'side, of the head 40 to keep the raceways and ring 40 properly in place.

In operation, after the rods 35 and the thrust bar 39 have been properly adjusted to operate the balls 27 and 29 successively or in couplets, as desired, and the two cylinders have been adjusted so as to make the inner or the outer corrugation the first in order as desired, the tail stock is set rearwardly enough to permit of the insertion of the tube A in place and to be held by the clutch, the tail stock is moved forwardly so far that the outer and the inner cylinders encompass the tube for the full length to which the corrugations are to extend, and the tail stock is secured to position. When this is done, the free end of v the tube extends into the space between the inner and outer cylinders, but without sup port therein, softh'at it is. freeto moveforward without friction as the corrugations are being formed. The'ring 4:0 will then be at the forward end of the cylinders, and the double cammed head will also be at the forward end of and'within the tubes, and longitudinally spaced from the ring so as to operate the balls at the desired time with respect to the outer balls. Then the lever 38, being then at its forward position, is moved rearward, thus movin therods 35 and the thrust bar 39 in unison, by reason of the connection with the cross bar 36, and the rin r lO and the head .39 will be moved rearwar dly and successively come in contact with the respective series of outer and inner balls to form respectively outer and inner corrugations in successive and connected order, to the end of the tube where the corrugations are to cease; whereupon the lever 38 is moved forwardly again to the original position, the tail stock is set rearwardly again, to free the end of the tube from its enclosure within the cylinders, when it is withdrawn, fully corrugated, and another tube can be inserted and the process repeated, for convenience the power being shut off as soon as the corrugating has been completed, to stop the rotat10n of the ,tube.

It will be apparent that the time consumed in moving the lever rearward and back is but a fraction of a moment, and that the actual operations of forming the corrugatmns are all,done without any stopping or handling of the tube after it-is once inserted in the clutch; that is the actual corrugating steps are all automatic in their nature. It will also be apparent that the corrugations are formed successively, so thatthe'metal of the tube is free to flow longitudinally toward the forming I corrugations without having to move over a series of corrugating rolls. It is also apparent that the bends of the corrugations so formed inner and outer, areeach successively tooled by actual contact of the corrugation formin elements with the metal, and

' are not forme by mere bending of the metal,

and thatwhile so being tooled, the lateral walls of the corrugations at the lateral centers between the bends of the corrugations are also tooled, as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, so that there is an equal working of the metal throughout the full extent of the corrugations. It ls'my experience, after many years of practice in the making of corrugated metallic bellows, and in corrugating tubes, that a better result is secured by having the metal subjected as nearly as possible to an equal working, rather than to place any particular amount of work upon some special locations in the corrugations. The formation of the corrugations by my invention herein set forth accomplishes this result in an almost perfect degree, and far more perfectly than in any other corrugation-forming devices.

vIt is manifest that by the adjustments provided in the mechanism described the-relative time in which the corrugationsinner and outer are formed may be varied as described, and also that either the inner or the outer corrugation may be formed first in line at the end of the tube. While I have shown the ball moving devices as being arranged in some of the drawings to form the outer corrugation first at the beginning of the making of the corrugations, in practice I have found generally that I get better results by placing the inner corrugation first in line. It is very desirable to have all the corrugations of equal size, and unless the inner corrugation is first in line, the outer corrugation will work out somewhat larger than it should be. For some purposes it seems better to have the outer corrugation first, as for the insertion of heads for some purposes, there is less waste of material, because the outer flare of an outer corrugation can be split in the middle to form a good flange for holdin the head.

IVhile I have shown in the embodiment of the invention herein set forth a series of balls for forming the corrugations, other formers, as discs, or other shapes of former may be equally well employed for some purposes. Other changes might be made in other respects, as for instance, while I have shown for illustration a hand operated lever for moving the rods 35 and the thrust bar 39 apower operated mechanism for moving the rods might be equally well employed for the purpose. It is particularly pointed out that in the formation successively of the corrugations, the tooling of the inner corrugation before the formation of the next succeeding corrugation gives to the tube at such a point a stifi'ness that aids in keeping the tube transversely in place better than it could be if a space were left uncorrugated, as well in the center of the tube as at the beginning of the tube.

I have shown the tube as being clutched to rotate with the driving shaft, but, while I am using the device with the tube rotating, it would come within the scope of my invention to hold the tube fixed in non-rotatable position, and rotate the cylinders holding the balls, in such case the balls being operated transversely by the longitudinally moving operators the same as they are operated with the tube itself rotating, as shown While I have shown the mechanism as producing comparatively broad shallow corrugations, the device would be well adapted to form ner cylinder and its shank are made in de- I tachable sections, so that the inner tube ma be detached and removed from the machine so that no corrugations could be made to extend outwardly, whereby while the outer cylinder is left intact to perform its work; and also that the outer cylinder may be removed from the apparatus so that no internally extending corrugations could be made thereby, while the inner cylinder and its corrugating elements are left to make outwardly extending corrugations. While I have'in the drawings shown the longitudinal series of perforations in the cylinders, and consequently of the balls in such perforations, as being aligned, it is not necessary that they be aligned; and in case it is desirable to form closely contiguous inwardly extending corrugations by means of the outer corrugating elements, it would be desirable tohave such elements in such cylinder in longitudinally staggered relation, thereby permitting one element to perform its work more closely to the work of the adjacent element without side crowding of the same.

Having now described my invention what I claim is 1. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a rotating shaft, means for fixedly securing the tube to the shaft, means for rotating the shaft, and mechanism for successively expanding the wall of the tube outwardly and inwardly.

2. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a rotating shaft,

means for fixedly securing the tube to the.

shaft, and mechanism for successively expandingthe wall of the tube outwardly and inwardly, the cross walls of the respective corrugations being longitudinall connected with each other.

3. In a machine for annularlv corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for the tube corrugating mechanisms devices adapted to travel longitudinally within and without the tube respectively and adapted when the devices are shifted to successively operate the mechanisms to form inwardly and outwardly extending corrugations in the tube, and means for shifting the devices.

4. In a machine for annularly corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for the tube, and a device for successively forming contiguous inward and outward corrugations in the tube, and means for longtudinally shifting the relation of the holder and the devi e with respect to each other,

for the formation of the respective corrugations.

5. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder fiar the tube, mechanisms within and withoigt the wall of the tubeadapted to be shifted radially outwardly and inwardly respectively, to operate successivel to form outwardly and inwardly projecting corrugations, and means for radially shifting the elements.

6. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for the tube, mechanisms within and without the tube adapted to be radially shifted outwardly and inwardly respectively to operate successively to form outwardly projecting and inwardly projecting corrugations respectively, the inner end of one corrugation being contiguously connected to the inner end of the next succeeding corrugation.

7. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for the tube, elements within and without the tube when the tube is in place adapted to move radially outwardly and inwardly respectively, and devices arranged inwardly and outwardly of the said elements and means for shifting the devices longitudinally of the elements .to successively shift the elements radially to form outwardly and inwardly extending corrugations in the wall of the tube.

8. In a machine for annularly corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for the tube, means for successively expanding portions of the tube into contiguous outwardly and inwardly extending corrugations, mechanism for successively operating the corrugating means, said mechanism being arranged to successively form all corrugations in the tube-by the movement of the mechanism in one direction with respect to the tube, and means for moving the mechanism.

9. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for the tube, elements within and without the tube arranged in longitudinally fixed relation with respect to each other, and means for successively shifting the elements to successively form outwardly and inwardly extending corrugations in the wall of the tube.

10. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for the tube, elements within and without the tube arranged in successive and alternate order, and means for successively shifting the elements to form alternate outwardly and inwardly extending corrugations.

11'. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for the tube, elements Within and without the tube for successively forming the tube into contiguous outwardl and inwardly extending corrugations, and mechanism for successivel operating the inner end outer elements, sai mechanism being adapted to form all of the corrugations by a single continuous movement of the mechanism in one direction.

12. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for the tube, cylinders arranged within and without the tube having longitudinally spaced series of circumferentially placed apertures respectively,'the inner and outer apertures thereof being in zigzag relation to each other, radially movable elements within the apertures, and mechanism for shifting the elements to form alternate outwardly and inwardly extending trinsverse corrugations in the wall of the tu e.

13. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for the tube, cylinders arranged respectively within and without the tube, each having a longitudinal series of aligned circumferentially spaced apertures, the series of the respective cylinders alternating in zigzag relation to each other, radially movable elements in the apertures, a plunger adapted to travel longitudinally within the inner cylinder to successsively move the interior series of elements outwardly, a ring surrounding the outer cylinder adapted to travel longitudinally thereof to successively move the outer series of elements inwardly, and means for moving the plunger and the ring simultaneously to successively form alternating outwardly and inwardly extending contiguous transverse connected corrugations in the wall of the tube.

14. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of longitudinal series of elements Within and without the tube adapted to move inwardly and outwardly respectively, devices arrangedinwardly and outwardly of said elements, and means for shifting the devices to successively operate the elements to form outwardly and inwardly extending corrugations.

15. In a machine forannularly corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for rotating the tube, a series of longitudinally spaced corrugating elements arranged,circumferentially outwardly of the tube, and mechanism for successively actuating the elements to form inwardly extending corrugations in the wall of the tube.

16. In a machine for annularly corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a holder for the tube, a series of longitudinally spaced corrugating elements circumferentially arranged outwardly of the tube, and means for actuating the elements inwardly comprising a ring surrounding the tube and adapted toengage .the elements in successive longitudinal order.

17. In a machine for annularly corrugating metal tubes, the combination of an annular series of corrugating elements placed outwardly of the tube and adapted to move inwardly with respect to the tube, means for operating the elements to form inwardly extending corrugations in the wall of the tube, and mechanism for moving the operating means.

18. In a machine for annularly corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a shell enclosing the tube and having an annular series of spaced circular apertures therein, balls loosely held in the apertures, a ring surrounding the shell arranged to contact the outer portions of the balls to move them inwardly to form inwardly extending corrugations in the wall of the tube, and mechanism for transversely moving the ring to operate the balls.

19. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes the combination of an element within the-tube adapted to move outwardly and form outwardly extending corrugations, an element outwardly of the tube adapted to be moved inwardly to form inwardly extending corrugation, longitudinally shiftable mechanisms for operating-the elements, a common operator for shifting the mechanisms and having independent, longitudinal shiftable connections with each of the mechanisms and means for longitudinally shifting the operator.

20. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes the combination of longitudinally spaced elements placed within and without the tube for forming inwardly and outwardly extending corrugations respectively therein,

independent longitudinally shiftable mechanisms for operating the elements, a common, longitudinal, shiftable device having an independent shiftable connection with each of said mechanisms and means for shifting the device, the adjustment of the mechanisms being arranged so that the elements may be made to form inner and outer corrugations successively, or simultaneously.

21. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes the combination of longitudinal series of elements within and without the tubes, arranged to form alternate inward and outward corrugations in the tube, mechanisms for separately operating the elements and means for adjusting the mechanism whereby the elements will be made to successively or concur rently form two adjoining corrugations.

22. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a longitudinal series of spaced corrugation-forming elements within and without the tube, adapted to be moved transversely to form outward and inward transverse corrugations respectively in the wall of the tube, means for transversely moving the elements, and a longitudinal connection between the respective series for shifting the series and maintaining their spaced relation intact.

23. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of longitudinal series of elements within the tube and without the tube and adapted to move transversely to form outer and inner corrugations in the wall of the tube, means for transversely moving the elements, means for adjusting the longitudinal relation of the series with respect to each other, and means for holding the series in fixed relation after the adjustment is made.

24. In a corrugating machine for corrugating' metal tubes, the combination of longitudinal series of longitudinally spaced elements within the tube and without the tube arranged in staggered relation to each other respectively, adapted to be moved transversely to form outer and inner consecutive corrugations in the wall of the tube, means for transversely moving the elements, a connection between the two series, and means for shifting the connection to change the longitudinal relation between the two series.

25. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of a longitudinalseries of longitudinally spaced independent elements within the tube and without the tube in staggered relation to each other respectively and adapted to be successively moved transversely to form outer and inner transverse corrugations in the tube, means for inthe series to form its own corrugation, a connection between thetwo series, and means in the connection for adjusting the two series longitudinally with respect to each other.'

26. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of longitudinal series of longitudinally spaced independent elements within the tube and without the tube arranged in longitudinally spaced relation to each other and adapted to be successively moved transversely to form outer and inner transverse corrugations in the wall of the tube, holders for the respective series of elements to keep the elements in spaced relation, a longitudinally adjustable connection between the holders for shifting the longitudinal relation between the respective series of elements, means for maintaining the holders in their adjusted relation, and means for transversely and independently shifting each of the elements of each of the series to form alternate outer and inner corrugations in the tube.

27. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of longitudinal series of longitudinally spaced independent elements within and without the tube adaptedto be successively moved transversely of the tube to form consecutively connected outer and inner corrugations in the tube, holders for each of the series of elements for keeping 7 dependently moving each of the elements of 28. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of independent transversely shiftable corrugation-forming elements within and without the tube for forming alternate inner and outer transverse corrugations in the wall of the tube, mechanisms for successively shifting the elements, said mechanisms being adaptable to form couplets of inner and outer corrugations successively.

29. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, independent transversely shiftable corrugation-forming elements within and without the tube for forming alternate inner and outer connected corrugations in the wall of the tube, mechanisms for shifting said ele ments, said mechanisms being adaptable to form the entire series of corrugations independently, or to form a plurality of corrugations simultaneously, in series.

30. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes. the combination of corrugation-forming elements within and without the tube adapted to form consecutive connected inner and outer corrugations transversely of the Wall of the tube by contact with the wall thereof, said elements being formed and placed to contact both the bent ends of the corrugations and the connecting wall between the bent ends, whereby the bent ends and the connecting walls are substantially equally worked through the entire extent of the corrugations, and means for operating the elements,

31. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, corrugation-forming elements placed outwardly of the tube adapted to be transversely shifted to form transverse inwardly extending corrugations in the wall of the tube, means for supporting the tube solely beyond that portion of the tube to be corrugated, and means for operating the corrugating elements.

32. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of corrugation-forming elements within and without the tube and adapted to be moved transversely to form outer and inner transverse corrugations in the tube, means for operating the elements, and mechanism for supporting the tube solely beyond that part of the tube which is to be cor rugated during all of the corrugating operations.

33. In a machine for-corrugating metal tubes, the combination of corrugation-forming elements placed within and without the tube adapted to be moved to form outer and inner transverse corrugations in the tube, holders for the elements transversely spaced from the tube, means for shifting the elements transversely of the holders to form outer and inner corrugations in the tube, and a support for the tube arranged to hold the tube spaced between the holders and away therefrom during and after the formation of the corrugations.

34. In a'machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of holdersarranged without and within the tube, each holder being provided with corrugation-forming elements placed in spaced relation in said holders, means for detachably connecting the two holders with each other, such detachable connection permitting the removal of one of the holders without detaching the other holder, and independent means for operating the elements of each holder.

35. In a machine for corrugating metal tubes, the combination of holders arranged without and within the tube each being provided with corrugation-f0rming elements for independently forming inner and outer corrugations respectively, means for detachably connecting the holders to the machine, such detachable connection permitting the removal of one of the holders without removing the other holders, and independent means for operating the elements of each holder, said operating means being detachably connected with operating power in such a way as to permit disconnection of one of said means without disconnecting or discontinuing the operation of the other means.

JOB-AM A. ZIEGLER.

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