Patent ID: 6128941
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
A pipe bending machine, including:a fixed horizontal pipe support platform defining a horizontal pipe feed channel;a first pipe engaging member positioned laterally on a first side of the pipe feed channel;a first actuator moving the first pipe engaging member into the pipe feed channel, thereby exerting a bending force upon a pipe positioned in the pipe feed channel;an elongate second pipe engaging member and an elongate third pipe engaging member arranged in spaced apart end to end relation on a second side of the pipe feed channel, each of the second pipe engaging member and the third pipe engaging member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second pipe engaging member being positioned adjacent to the first end of the third pipe engaging member, the first end of each of the second pipe engaging member and the third pipe engaging member being pivotally secured to the support platform for movement about a substantially vertical axis;a second actuator secured to the second end of the second pipe engaging member whereby the second pipe engaging member is moved into the pipe feed channel to exert a bending force upon the pipe positioned in the pipe feed channel;a third actuator secured to the second end of the third pipe engaging member whereby the third pipe engaging member is moved into the pipe feed channel, to exert a bending force upon the pipe positioned in the pipe feed channel;each of the first pipe engaging member, the second pipe engaging member and the third pipe engaging member has a pipe receiving cradle, the pipe receiving cradle having a forwardly and downwardly extending pipe feed ramp such that upon movement of the pipe engaging member, the pipe laying along the pipe feed channel is lifted from the surface of the horizontal pipe support and directed along the pipe feed ramp into the pipe receiving cradle of said pipe engaging member.