US3722254A

US3722254A - Material forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3722254A
Application number: US00090318A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Katogir
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-11-17
Filing date: 1970-11-17
Publication date: 1973-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-27

Abstract

This invention relates to a material forming method and apparatus for use in forming a series of predetermined shaped configurations in a length of material. More particularly, this invention includes a series of material forming heads. Each of the material forming heads includes complementary material bending means for forming a predetermined shape in a length of material. The series of material forming heads are supported on the material forming apparatus in a position to receive a length of material to be formed. Control means is operatively associated with the material forming heads for effecting a material forming operation. The control means includes automatic means for stopping the forming operation after the material has been formed to a predetermined shape. The control means is selectively setable whereby the shape of the material can be adjusted to a desired set position. The series of material forming heads are supported on the material forming apparatus and operatively associated with each other whereby the heads are moveable relative to each other in response to the material being formed to a predetermined shaped configuration. The material bending means includes spaced material contacting and guide means detailed to prevent damage to the length of material during a forming operation.

Description

United States Patent [191 Katogir [45] Mar. 27, 1973 MATERIAL FORMING APPARATUS 22 Filed: Nov. 17,1970

21 Appl. No.: 90,318

[52] US. Cl ..72/383, 72/384, 72/DIG. 16 [51] Int. Cl. ..B21d 11/07 [58] Field of Search ..72/308, 383, 384, 385, 386,

X 72/389, 427, DlG. l6

Primary ExaminerLowell A. Larson Att0rneyNewton, Hopkins & Ormsby [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a material forming method and apparatus for use in forming a series of predetermined shaped configurations in a length of material. More particularly, this invention includes a series of material forming heads. Each of the material forming heads includes complementary material bending means for forming a predetermined shape in a length of material. The series of material forming heads are supported on the material forming apparatus in a position to receive a length of material to be formed. Control means is operatively associated with the material forming heads for effecting a material forming operation. The control means includes automatic means for stopping the forming operation after the material has been formed to a predetermined shape. The control means is selectively setable whereby the shape of the material can be adjusted to a desired set position. The series of material forming heads are supported on the material forming apparatus and operatively associated with each other whereby the heads are moveable relative to each other in response to the material being formed to a predetermined shaped configuration. The material bending means includes spaced material contacting and guide means detailed to prevent damage to the length of material during a forming operation.

19 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmzmn 3,7 2,254

SHEET u or 6 FIG 4 PATENTEDHARZTIQB SHEET 5 BF 6 PATENTEDmzms SHEEI 6 OF 6 FIG]! FIG 10- MATERIAL FORMING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In building construction such as supporting a floor structure, a roof structure or for use as reinforcing in bridge construction, a metal truss is often utilized to provide the required strength to bridge a given span.

In the construction of a building support truss as described above, a length of material such as metal stock, is formed into a series of angular offset shapes. The opposite edges of these angular offset shapes are secured to elongated pieces of angular material. The two elongated pieces of angular material are oriented in substantially parallel relationship relative to each other and are secured to the opposite edges of the offset angular shapes by conventional means, such as welding. In the construction of building trusses as described above, the strength of the building truss can be varied by changing the angular dimensions of the shaped configurations.

There have been numerous attempts to design automatic machinery for use in forming a bar joist material for use in the construction of building trusses. However, the prior art bar joist forming devices were extremely complex in construction, uneconomical to manufacture and unreliable in operation.

During the formation of a bar joist into a predetermined shaped configuration, the prior art devices would bend the length of material in such a way as to damage the material adjacent the bending operation thereby reducing the strength of the material for use in a truss. In the prior art bar joist forming machine, after a length of material had been formed into the desired shape, it was often difficult to remove the formed length of material from the forming apparatus.

The prior art bar joist forming apparatus is not readily adjustable such that one machine can be used to form a number of different shapes in the length of material. Therefore, the manufacturer of building truss using formed bar joist material had to employ several machines, one for each particular shape of material desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art material forming apparatus and basically includes a series of material forming heads supported by spaced guide track means for movement from an extended open position to a retracted material forming position. The material forming heads are connected together by linkage control elements for maintaining a fixed angular relationship between the material forming heads as they move relative to each other from the extended position to the retracted position. Limit stop control means is operatively associated with the moveable material forming heads for stopping movement of the material forming heads at a predetermined set position after the material has reached the desired shape. Power control means is also provided for returning the material forming heads to the extended position after a forming operation.

Indicator and limit stop control means is provided for setting the material forming heads in a selected extended position determined by the particular dimensions desired in the formed length of material.

Each of the material forming heads includes a first bending means connected to a power control cylinder means for effecting movement thereof. A pair of spaced material contacting and guide means is located on each of the material forming heads on the opposite side of a length of material to provide a second bending means. The first bending means is detailed to project into the space between the spaced guide means in response to operation of the power control cylinder. The spaced guide means are moveable from a retracted position in substantially parallel alignment with the iongitudinal axis of an unformed length of material to a pivoted position in alignment with a portion of a formed length of material in response to operation of the power control cylinder.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a material forming apparatus having automatic control means for effecting a forming operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a material forming apparatus having means for guiding a length of material into a forming position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a material forming apparatus having means detailed for contacting and guiding the material during a forming operation to prevent damage to the length of material.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a material forming apparatus which includes automatic ejection means for ejecting a formed length of material from the apparatus after a forming operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a material forming apparatus which includes selectively setable control means adjustable to a desired set position whereby the material forming apparatus can be utilized in forming different shapes in a length of material.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic control means for stopping a forming operation after the length of material has reached a predetermined shape.

A further object of this invention is to provide a material forming apparatus including indicator means for indicating the selected set position of the forming apparatus at the beginning of a forming operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a material forming head for use in forming a shaped configuration in a length of material.

Still another object of this invention is to provide support means for supporting a series of material forming heads to permit relative movement of the heads in response to the length of material being formed into the predetermined shaped configurations.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method of forming a predetermined shape in a length of material without damaging the material during the forming operation.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a material forming apparatus which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and reliable in operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the details of the construction will become apparent after reading the accompanying description of one illustrative embodiment of the invention with reference to the attached drawings, wherein like reference characters have been used to refer to like parts throughout the several figures of drawing, and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the material forming apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective view of the material forming heads with certain parts omitted and certain parts broken away and shown in section for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing a series of the material forming heads in an extended position, with certain parts omitted for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view showing a series of the forming heads in a retracted position, with certain parts omitted for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the setable limit stop control means and the power control means for returning a forming head to an extended position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of one of the forming heads taken substantially midway through the forming head, with certain parts omitted for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the forming head shown in FIG. 6 with certain parts broken away and certain parts omitted for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of a portion of the forming head illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the limit stop control means for a forming head;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along lines 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along lines 1l-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an electrical schematic diagram of the motor control means for moving a forming head to an extended open position; and

FIG. 13 is an electrical schematic diagram of the hydraulicpump motor and a schematic illustration of the hydraulic flow lines associated with the forming heads.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the material forming apparatus will be described with reference to a support framework 10, a series of forming heads and control means 70, 80. As shown in FIG. 1, the support framework 10 includes a series of vertical support elements 11. Support elements 11 are maintained in a verticallyoriented and horizontally spaced position by a runner 12 connected along the lower edge thereof. Connected along an upper edge of each of the support elements 11 is a channel shaped guide track means 13. The channel shaped guide track means 13 is supported by elements 11 in a horizontal position and is provided with a guiding track for use in moveably supporting a series of material forming heads 20 which will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

The support frame work includes a second channel shaped guide track means 13 supported in space relationship relative to the first guide track means 13. The second guide track means 13 is oriented in co-planer alignment and in parallel relationship relative to the first guide track 13. The guide tracks 13 are maintained in a predetermined space relationship by means of end support frame works 14. The vertical support elements 11 for supporting the second guide track means 13 are not shown however, they are similar to the vertical support elements 11 shown for the first guide track 13 (FIG. 1). The material forming apparatus support frame work is provided with a substantially enclosed area by providing sheet metal covering material 15 between each of the support elements 11, as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 6-8, each of the material forming heads 20 includes a pair of support shafts 21. Support shafts 21 are maintained in spaced relationship by means of end connecting members 22. A pair of roller elements 23 are rotatively supported on an outer side of member 22 for rolling engagement within the guide track means 13, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. Each of the material forming heads includes a pair of short support shafts 24 which are connected adjacent one end to end supporting member 22 and are connected adjacent an opposite end to a cross connecting member 25 which is supported by shaft 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the short support shafts 24 provides a sliding support for a slide block 26. Slide block 26 is provided with openings complimentary to the support shaft 24 and is supported thereon to permit slide block 26 to be freely movable between the end support member 22 and the cross supporting member 25.

Adjacent material forming heads are connected together by a linkage system 30. The linkage system includes a first link 31 pivotally connecting adjacent one end by a pivot bolt 33 provided in an end support element 22. An opposite end of the first link 31 is pivotally supported by a pivot bolt 33 provided in a slide box 26. As shown in FIG. 2, the linkage connecting system includes a pair of second links 35. The pair of second links 35 are pivotally connected adjacent one end by a pivot bolt 33 mounted within an end support member 22 and is pivotally supported adjacent an opposite end by a pivot bolt 33 mounted within a slide box supporting element 26. The first link 31 and second pair of links 35 are pivotally connected to each other adjacent at an intermediate portion thereof by a pivot connecting bolt 38, as shown in FIG. 2. The above described linkage system will permit movement of the forming heads 20 along tracks 13 between an extended position as shown in FIG. 3 to a retracted position as shown in FIG. 4 while maintaining the forming heads in parallel relationship.

As adjacent material forming heads are moved from an extended position to a retracted position, the slide blocks 26 supported by shafts 24 will be moved from a position adjacent cross support member 25 to a position adjacent the end support member 22. A return movement of the material forming heads from a retracted position to an extended position will again return the slide support blocks 26 from a position adjacent end support member 22 to a position adjacent cross supporting member 25.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, each of the material forming heads includes a bending mechanism 40 supported on a plate element 41. Plate 41 is of substantially rectangular shape and is provided with a journal block 42 supported adjacent each of the corners and extending downwardly to be journaled on support shafts 21. The journal blocks 42 are detailed with complementary openings to permit sliding'movement of the support plate relative to the support shafts 21. The material forming head bending mechanism includes a first bending means 43. The first bending means 43 includes a hydraulic control cylinder 44. Control cylinder 44 is connected adjacent one end to plate 41 by a support bracket 45. Cylinder 41 includes a conventional operable piston rod 46. Connected to an extended end of piston rod 46 is a material forming element 47. The material forming element 47 includes oppositely directed shaped notches 48 which are supported in sliding engagement with the opposite edges of a slot 49 provided in a support plate 41. The oppositely directed notches 48 and slot edges 49 provides a supporting track for the forming element 47 as it is moved by the piston rod from a retracted inoperative position forward to an extended material forming position.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 6 and 7, the material forming element 47 is provided with a .connecting rod 50 which extends outwardly from the forming element 47 in parallel relationship to the piston rod 46. Secured to an outer extended end of connecting rod 50 is a cam shaped ejector member 51. The cam shaped ejector member 51 is provided for ejecting a formed length of material from within the bending mechanism after a forming operation has been completed. The details of the ejection process will be described in more detail herein below.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cam ejector element 51 is provided with an upwardly extending notch 52 detailed for receiving a limit stop bolt 55. The limit stop bolt 55 is adjustably supported by an upstanding plate element 56 secured to an edged portion of supporting plate 41. Limit stop bolt 55 is provided for limiting the degree of movement of the forming element 47 in a forming operation, as will be described in more detail herein below in the operation of the material forming apparatus.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 6, 7 and 8, the bending mechanism 40 includes a second material forming means 57. The second material forming means includes a pair of space lug guide members 58. The lug guide members 58 are pivotally supported by pivot bolts 59 which are supported between'supporting plate 41 and a top plate element 60. Top plate element 60 extends from the upper edge of end plate 56, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each of the lug guide members 58 is spring urged to a retracted position as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 by means of a torsion spring element 61 which is supported around pivot bolt 59 and detailed to spring urge the lug guide element 58 to a retracted position whereby the lug guide element contacts sides 62. The sides 62 are provided between the top plate 60 and bottom supporting plate 41 and served as limit stops for maintaining the lug guide elements 58 in an aligned outer position (FIGS. 7 and 8).

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, each of the material forming heads is provided with a cover means 63 provided for covering the operating cylinder 44 and also detailed to include a sloped guide surface 64. The slope guide surface 64 will serve to guide a length of material to formed into proper position relative to the material forming heads. The cover plates 63 are secured to the bending mechanism support plate 41 by conventional means (not shown). The sloping guide surface 64 is detailed to extend from an upper position adjacent the right edge of support plate 41 (FIG. 6) to a lower position above and adjacent the extended end of element 47 when element 47 is held in a retracted position.

Each of the bending mechanisms 40 are slidably supported on support shaft 21 by means of the blocks 42 and adjacent bending mechanisms are spring urged in opposite directions by a pair of tension springs 65. As shown in FIG. 2, one of the bending mechanisms is spring urged to the right by connecting one end of the tension springs 65 to a left edge of support plate 41 and connecting an opposite end of the tension springs 65 to the cross support member 25. An adjacent one of the material forming head bending mechanism 41 is spring urged to the left by connecting one end of tension springs 65 to the supporting plate 41 adjacent one end and connecting an opposite end of the tension springs 65 to end connecting member 22. The function and operation of the tension springs will be described in more detail herein below in the description of the operation of the material forming apparatus.

The forming elements 47 and spaced guide lugs 58 define an upwardly open recess therebetween detailed for receiving a length of material to be formed. The material forming heads 20 are detailed in supporting relationship in an extended position as shown in FIG. 3 whereby the upwardly open recesses are in lateral longitudinal alignment.

Operation of the power control cylinders 44 to extend piston rods 46 is effected by means of a conventional hydraulic pump schematically illustrated in FIG. 13. Fluid from the hydraulic pump 70 is delivered along supply line 72. The fluid supply line 72 is connected by branch lines to each of the hydraulic cylinders 44. Fluid is exhausted from the hydraulic cylinders 44 along a return line 73 to retract piston rod 46 and forming element 47. Power for effecting operation of the hydraulic pump 70 is provided by a conventional electric motor means 71. The control for motor 71 includes a manual control switch 74, a limit stop switch 75 connected in series and a manual override switch 103 connected in parallel for operation of hydraulic pump 70 to retract piston rod 46.

As shown in FIG. 5 and 9, the limit stop switch 75 is adjustably supported on. an upstanding support framework 99 provided along an upper edge of channel track means 13. The limit stop switch is held in an adjusted set position by means of a locking screw 76. A conventional control lever 77 is operatively connected to the limit switch 75 for effecting operation thereof. With the control lever 77 in a lower position as shown in FIG. 9, limit switch 75 will be closed to allow electrical power to flow to the'motor 71. Movement of control arm 77 upward bya contact member 78 will effect an opening of the limit switch 75 thereby interrupting the flow of current to the motor 71. Contact member 78 is supported on one of the outermost material forming heads 20.

Operation of the material forming heads 20 in a material operation will cause the material forming head to move along guide'tracks 13 from an extended position (as shown in FIG. 3) to a retracted position (as shown in FIG. 4). The degree of movement of the material forming heads from the retracted position to the extended position can be adjusted by securing the limit stop switch 75 in a selected set position along the support frame 99. The operation of the material forming head and the limit switch 75 will be described in more detail herein below in the description of the operation of the material forming apparatus.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 4 and 5, a power motor means 80 is provided for returning the material forming heads 20 from the retracted material forming position (as shown in FIG. 4) to an extended position (as shown in FIG. 3). Power from motor 80 is delivered to a conventional gear box 81. Drive from gear box 81 is delivered by a drive shaft 82 to a sprocket element 83. A drive chain 84 is supported by drive sprocket 83 and by a second sprocket 85. Chain 84 is connected by a connecting bracket 86 to a right outermost material forming head 20 (as shown in FIG. The power motor 80 and chain and

sprocket drive

82, 83, etc. is provided for returning a material forming head from the retracted material forming position to the extended open position.

As shown in FIG. 4, drive from drive shaft 82 is delivered by a gear 87 to an idler gear 88 supported by a stud shaft 89. The stud shaft 89 and drive shaft 82 are journaled in the support framework by conventional bearing means (not shown). Mounted on support shaft 89 is a sprocket 90. Sprocket 90 is operatively connected to a chain element 91 which is in driving engagement with a second sprocket 92. Chain 91 is provided with a bracket 93 for connecting the chain to the left most material forming head 20, as shown in FIG. 5.

Referring nowparticularly to FIG. 1, the material forming apparatus is provided with 15 material forming heads 20. The 15 material heads are divided into two groups. The center most material forming head 20A (shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5) is held in a fixed position relative to the guide track 13 by'conventional means (not shown). The first group of material forming heads is supported on the left side of the fixed material forming head 20A (as shown in FIG. 1) and the second group of material forming heads is located on the right side of the fixed support material forming head 20A. The above described power control means including motor 80, drive shaft 82 and chain and sprocket drives 83, 84, etc. are supported on the support framework such that the fixed material forming head 20A is supported directly above the space between

sprocket elements

83, 90 as shown in FIG. 5. Chain drive element 84 is provided for returning the right most group of material forming heads to an extended position and the chain drive 91 is provided for returning the left most material forming head to an extended position. Since all of the material forming heads in both the first and second groups are connected to each other by the linkage system 30, it is only necessary to connect the drive chains 84 and 91 to the outer most material forming heads, as shown in FIG. 5.

The illustrative embodiment of the material forming apparatus includes material forming heads, however, the number of material forming heads could be easily changed to add more or less depending upon the length of material to be formed and on the predetermined shape in which the material is to be formed. Also, it would be possible to eliminate one of the groups of material forming heads and to provide those material forming heads to the left or to the right of the fixed material forming head.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 5 and 9, movement of the material forming heads 20 from a retracted position to the extended position by the power motor means is controlled by a manual control switch 102 and a limit stop switch 95. Manual control switch 102 is provided adjacent the left edge of the material forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1. Limit stop switch 95 is adjustably supported by the upstanding frame member 99. Limit stop switch 95 includes an adjustable set screw means 96 detailed for securing the limit stop switch 95 in a desired set position along supporting frame 99. Limit switch 95 is provided with a control arm 97 detailed for effecting an opening and closing of the limit switch. Operation of control arm 97 is effected by means of a contact member 98 supported by the leftmost material forming head 20, shown in FIGS. 5 and 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, an indicating scale 100 is provided along the upper surface of guide track 13 and supported adjacent a pointer element 101 provided on the leftmost material forming head 20. The operation of the limit switches 75 and 95 and the indicating scale 100 will be described in more detail herein below in the description of the operation of the material forming apparatus.

OPERATION To begin a material forming operation, the material forming heads must be in their extended position, substantially as shown in FIG. 1 and 3. With the material forming heads in their extended position, the linkage system 30 will support the material forming heads in parallel equal space relationship relative to each other. The material forming heads of the first group located to the left of the fixed material forming head 20A and the material forming heads of the second group located to the right of the fixed material forming head 20A are equally spaced relative to the fixed supporting head 20A. The outer limit of the outermost material forming heads is set according to the length of material to be formed, and the desired distance between adjacent angular formations to be provided in the formed material.

After the length of material to be formed is known and the distance between the adjacent offset angles are known, the distance from the fixed material forming head 20A to the outermost material forming head 20 is calculated. This calculated distance can be measured off along the indicator scale 100 with the indicator point 101 set at the calculated outermost extended position of the outermost material forming head. With the outermost material forming head set in its outermost position, the limit stop switch 95 is then adjusted along the support framework 99 such that the contact member 98 will effect movement of control arm 97 to operate limit switch 95 when the outermost material forming head is moved to the desired outermost position.

The extent of inward movement of the material forming heads from the outermost extended position along the guide track means 13 will determine the pitch of the angular formation and the formed length of material. After a desired angle has been determined, the limit stop switch 75 is adjusted along the support 99 such that the contact member 78 will effect operation of limit switch 75. In the material forming operation, forming heads 20 will move from the outer extended position inward a sufficient amount to effect formation of the desired pitch angle in the length of material, after which the contact member 78 will operate limit switch 75 thereby interrupting the flow of power 'to the hydraulic drive motor 71.

A material forming operation is begun with the outermost material forming heads moved to their desired outer limit positions and in engagement with the set limit stop switches 95. With the material forming heads in their extended outer position, a length of material to be formed is placed on top of the material guiding surface 64. The length of material will roll down the sloping surface 64 and fall into the recess formed between forming element 47 and guide lugs 58, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. At the beginning of a forming operation, the guiding lugs 58 are held in their retracted outer position by the torsion springs 61. With the guiding lugs in their outer retracted position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the guiding lugs 58 present a guiding and contact surface which is in parallel alignment to the longitudinal axis of an unformed length of material. The space guiding lugs 58 are also supported on opposite sides of the forming element 47 to define a forming area therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7.

With a length of material to be formed supported in position in front of the forming elements 47, a forming operation is begun by closing the manual control switch 74. With manual control switch 74 closed, and with the forming heads moved to their outer position, the limit switch 75 will also be closed allowing current to flow to drive motor 71. Operation of drive motor 71 will effect operation of the hydraulic pump 70 to force liquid under pressure along supply line 72 to each' of the hydraulic cylinders 44. Operation of hydraulic cylinders 44 will effect a projecting movement of the forming elements 47. As the forming elements 47 are moved outwardly, the forward edge thereof will contact a length of material supported in a position to be formed. A continued movement of the forming element 47 will press the length of material against the space guide lugs 58. As the forming element continues to move outwardly as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the length of material will be forced in between guide lugs 58. The guide lugs 58 will pivot about support pivots 59 such that the guide lugs 58 will allow the material to be formed to a desired angle without damaging the length of material in the forming process.

As the angle is formed in the length of material, the adjacent material forming heads will be drawn inwardly toward the fixed material forming head 20A, due to the shortening of the length of material having formed angles therein. The lateral displacement of formed angles will cause adjacent material forming heads to slide along support shafts 21 against tension spring 65.

As shown in FIG. 4, the spaced guide lug elements 58 will be moved to a pivoted position whereby the surfaces contacting the length of material will be substantially parallel to the two sides of the angles formed in the length of material and will present a surface substantially complementary to the forming element 47.

The operation of hydraulic cylinders 44 will continue to form the angle in the length of material until the contacting member 78 contacts the control arm 77 of limit switch 75 to interrupt the flow of power to hydraulic drive motor 71. The adjustable limit stop bolt 53 proreached before the stop switch has interrupted the flow of current to hydraulic drive motor 70, the limit stop bolt will contact the formed angle to prevent any further movement of forming element 47. With angle formation in a length of material stopped by bolt 53,

the hydraulic fluid supplied to a hydraulic cylinder 44 will flow along supply line 72 to an adjacent hydraulic cylinder until the limit stop switch 75 has been operated by the contact member 78.

After a length of material has been formed to the desired shape and limit switch 75 has stopped operation of the hydraulic drive motor 71, the formed length of material is ejected from the forming apparatus by operation of a conventional valve means not shown and by operation of a manual control switch 103 which will allow electrical current to bypass the manual switch 74 and limit stop switches 75 to effect operation of the hydraulic motor 71 and pump 70 to force hydraulic fluid along supply line 73 causing the piston rods 46 to be forced inwardly of the hydraulic cylinders 44. Movement of piston rods 46 inwardly will withdraw the forming elements 47 from the space between the guide lugs 58. As the forming elements 47 are moved inwardly by piston rods 46, the ejector cam member 51 will move to the right (as shown in FIG. 6) which will cause the ejector camming surface to contact the formed length of material thereby forcing the formed length of material upwardly and out of the forming heads.

After a formed length of material has been removed from the forming apparatus, the forming heads are moved to their outer extended position by operation of the manual control switch 102. Since the limit stop switch 95 is not operated by the contact member 98 when the forming heads are moved inwardly to their forming position, power will flow along manual switch 102 and limit stop switch 95 to the motor thereby driving shaft 82 which will in turn effect operation of the drive chains 84, 91 to return the forming heads to their outer extended position. The forming heads will move outwardly until the contact member 98 effects and operation of the outer limit stop switches 95. As the material forming heads are moved from the retracted position to the extended position, the linkage system 30 will maintain the forming heads in their correct parallel spaced apart relationship. After a length of forming material has been ejected from the forming heads, the tension springs 65 will again return the bending mechanisms 40 to their correct position whereby the recess formed between forming element 47 and guiding lugs 58 will be in longitudinal aligned relationship ready to receive a next length of material to be formed.

In the illustrative embodiment described herein above, each of the material bending mechanisms 40 of a material forming head 20 is supported for sliding movement relative to the support shaft 21. However, the material forming operation could be performed by holding alternate ones of the material bending mechanisms 40 in a fixed position relative to shaft 21.

It now becomes apparent that the above described illustrative embodiment is capable of obtaining the above stated objects and advantages. It is obvious that those skilled in the art may make modifications in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A material forming head for use in forming a length of material, comprising, in combination:

a. first material bending means mounted on said head, said first bending means including a shaped, notched portion;

. second material bending means mounted on said head, said second bending means including a shaped projecting portion, said first and second material bending means being mounted horizontally;

c. means for effecting relative movement between said first and second bending means, said relative movement being detailed such that said projecting portion extends into said notched portion;

means for supporting a length of material on said head in a position to be formed by said bending means in response to said relative movement toward each other; and

e. said second bending means including an inclined cam means spaced from said projecting portion and moveable, upon relative movement of said bending means away from each other, to eject the length of material,

2. A material forrning head as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said material forming heads include material guide means for guiding a length of material into position between said first and second bending means for a forming operation.

3. In a material forming apparatus for use in forming a series of predetermined shaped configurations in a length of material, comprising:

a. a supporting framework;

b. a pair of guide track means mounted on said supporting framework, said guide track means being supported in parallel spaced apart relationship;

0. a series of material forming heads supported by said guide track means, each of said heads including opposed means moveable with respect to each other for bending to a predetermined shape an increment of the length of material disposed therebetween;

d. means for supporting a length of material on said apparatus in a position for spaced increments thereof to be bent by said forming heads;

e. control means operatively associated with said material forming heads for simultaneously actuating said forming heads for effecting a forming operation; and

f. means operatively connecting a number of said forming heads whereby said connected forming heads can be moved relative to each other along said guide track means from an extended open position detailed for receiving a length of material to a retracted material formed position.

4. In a material forming apparatus as described in claim 3 further characterized in that at least one of said material forming heads is supported in a fixed position relatively to said guide track means and wherein said other material forming heads are moveable along said guide track means from said extended position to said retracted position.

5. In a material forming apparatus as described in claim 3 further characterized in that said control means includes limit stop means operatively associated with said guide track means and with one of said material forming heads for stopping said forming operation in response to said one material forming head reaching a stop limit position.

6. In a material forming apparatus as described in claim 3 further characterized in that said material forming heads includes power means for effecting movement of said material forming heads from said retracted position to said extended position after a material forming operation and wherein limit stop means is operatively associated with said guide track means and with one of said material forming heads for indicating a limit position of movement of said material forming heads to said extended open position.

7. In a material forming apparatus as described in claim 6 further characterized in that said limit stop means is selectively setable along said guide track means and wherein said guide track means is provided with indicator means for indicating a desired set position of said limit stop means.

8. In a material forming apparatus as described in claim 5 further characterized in that said limit stop means is selectively adjustable along said guide track means whereby the degree of movement of said material forming heads along said guide track means can be adjusted to a selected set position.

9. In a material forming apparatus as described in claim 3 further characterized in that said means operatively connecting said moveable material forming heads includes linkage control means pivotly connecting one material forming head to an adjacent material forming head, said linkage being detailed for maintaining adjacent material forming heads in a fixed angular relationship relative to each other during movement from said extended position to said retracted position.

10. In a method of forming a predetermined shape in a length of material including the steps of:

a. supporting a length of material in a position to be formed; contacting increments of said length of material at equally spaced locations on alternate sides thereof by predetermined shaped forming elements;

0. contacting said length of material with pairs of spaced contacting means at spaced locations on opposite sides of said material from each predetermined shaped forming element;

. effecting relative movement between said forming elements and said spaced contacting means to thereby simultaneously apply a plurality of bending forces between the elements and their contact means sufficient to bend each increment of material between them into a shape complementary to the shapes of said predetermined elements while maintaining contact between said spaced contact means and said length of material.

1 l. The method defined in claim 10 wherein the bending of said increments causes said length of material to pull simultaneously the forming elements and their associated contact means toward each other.

12. The method defined in claim 11 including releasing the bent material and returning said forming elements and contact means to their original positions 13. A material forming apparatus for use in simultaneously bending spaced increments of a length of material into angular shape, comprising:

a. a linkage system having a plurality of pairs of an adjacent crossed rigid links, each pair being pivotally connected together by their intermediate portions and also pivotally connected at their end portions to the end portions of the links of the next adjacent pair of links;

b. material forming heads disposed at certain of the pivotal connections, each of said forming heads including a forming element moveable laterally in a path between the pivotally connected end portions of said links; and a notched member opposite said forming element for cooperating with said forming element for bending the increment of said material disposed therebetween upon relative movement of said forming element and said notched member adjacent ones of said forming heads being mounted for bending the material in opposite directions;

c. common control means for creating the relative movement in each forming head between its forming element and its notched member upon actuation of said control means; and

d. said links being sufficiently moveable that the bending of said material by said forming heads will cause pivotal movement of the links with respect to each other so that said forming heads are simultaneously moved longitudinally toward each other during the bending operation.

14. The material forming apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said forming element includes a cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and projecting from said cylinder, and a tapered projecting portion mounted on the end of said piston for projection and retraction toward and away from said notched member.

15. The material forming apparatus defined in claim 13 including guide means supported between transversely opposed pivotal connections of said links for guiding said forming heads, the connection between said guide means and one of the pivotally connected links including a slidable block for slidably retaining said guide means parallel to all other such guide means whereby each of said heads in maintained in parallel relationship for lateral movement along parallel paths while the same are moved inwardly toward each other during the bending operation.

16. The material forming apparatus defined in claim 13 including a support, a pair of parallel tracks disposed on said support, and a plurality of guide means extending transversely between said tracks and connected to the pivotal connection of said links for guiding said heads in their lateral movements, said guide means being longitudinally moveable toward and away from each other.

17. The material forming apparatus defined in claim 16 including stops on said tracks for limiting the movement of certain of said guide means.

18. The material forming apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said control means includes a hydraulic pump and said head elements include hydraulic pistons and cylinders connected to said hydraulic pump whereby all such pistons are moved simultaneously with approximately the same amount of pressure.

19. The material forming apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein each of said heads includes camming means mounted thereon for ejecting a formed length of material from said head, in response to movement of the head to an inoperative position.

Claims

1. A material forming head for use in forming a length of material, comprising, in combination: a. first material bending means mounted on said head, said first bending means including a shaped, notched portion; b. second material bending means mounted on said head, said second bending means including a shaped projecting portion, said first and second material bending means being moUnted horizontally; c. means for effecting relative movement between said first and second bending means, said relative movement being detailed such that said projecting portion extends into said notched portion; d. means for supporting a length of material on said head in a position to be formed by said bending means in response to said relative movement toward each other; and e. said second bending means including an inclined cam means spaced from said projecting portion and moveable, upon relative movement of said bending means away from each other, to eject the length of material.

2. A material forming head as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said material forming heads include material guide means for guiding a length of material into position between said first and second bending means for a forming operation.

3. In a material forming apparatus for use in forming a series of predetermined shaped configurations in a length of material, comprising: a. a supporting framework; b. a pair of guide track means mounted on said supporting framework, said guide track means being supported in parallel spaced apart relationship; c. a series of material forming heads supported by said guide track means, each of said heads including opposed means moveable with respect to each other for bending to a predetermined shape an increment of the length of material disposed therebetween; d. means for supporting a length of material on said apparatus in a position for spaced increments thereof to be bent by said forming heads; e. control means operatively associated with said material forming heads for simultaneously actuating said forming heads for effecting a forming operation; and f. means operatively connecting a number of said forming heads whereby said connected forming heads can be moved relative to each other along said guide track means from an extended open position detailed for receiving a length of material to a retracted material formed position.

10. In a method of forming a predetermined shape in a length of material including the steps of: a. supporting a length of material in a position to be formed; b. contacting increments of said length of material at equally spaced locations on alternate sides thereof by predetermined shaped forming elements; c. contacting said length of material with pairs of spaced contacting means at spaced locations on opposite sides of said material from each predetermined shaped forming element; d. effecting relative movement between said forming elements and said spaced contacting means to thereby simultaneously apply a plurality of bending forces between the elements and their contact means sufficient to bend each increment of material between them into a shape complementary to the shapes of said predetermined elements while maintaining contact between said spaced contact means and said length of material.

11. The method defined in claim 10 wherein the bending of said increments causes said length of material to pull simultaneously the forming elements and their associated contact means toward each other.

12. The method defined in claim 11 including releasing the bent material and returning said forming elements and contact means to their original positions.

13. A material forming apparatus for use in simultaneously bending spaced increments of a length of material into angular shape, comprising: a. a linkage system having a plurality of pairs of an adjacent crossed rigid links, each pair being pivotally connected together by their intermediate portions and also pivotally connected at their end portions to the end portions of the links of the next adjacent pair of links; b. material forming heads disposed at certain of the pivotal connections, each of said forming heads including a forming element moveable laterally in a path between the pivotally connected end portions of said links; and a notched member opposite said forming element for cooperating with said forming element for bending the increment of said material disposed therebetween upon relative movement of said forming element and said notched member adjacent ones of said forming heads being mounted for bending the material in opposite directions; c. common control means for creating the relative movement in each forming head between its forming element and its notched member upon actuation of said control means; and d. said links being sufficiently moveable that the bending of said material by said forming heads will cause pivotal movement of the links with respect to each other so that said forming heads are simultaneously moved longitudinally toward each other during the bending operation.