Patent ID: 6173599
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
An apparatus for straightening a U-shaped leaf spring wherein the spring includes a curved section having a concave side and a convex side and wherein the spring has a pair of elongated legs spaced-apart relationship with each other from the curved section of the spring and the curved section of the spring has a radius of curvature adjacent a side of the legs facing away from each other, the apparatus comprising:a plurality of pivotal block members which simultaneously rotate counter to one another, each of the blocks having a channel disposed thereon adapted to receive one of the leaf spring legs therein and the channel having an outer wall facing toward the other block outer wall which extends away from the curved section of the leaf spring to a respective free end such that the combined lengths of the outer walls on both blocks are substantially the same length of the convex side of the curved section of the leaf spring; each block channel having a respective inner wall facing away from the inner wall of the opposite block and facing a concave side of the leaf spring legs and adapted to engage and provide support to the concave curved section of the leaf spring during the straightening process;a mechanism to rotate the blocks and straighten out the leaf spring; anda ram to support the curved section of the leaf spring.