Patent ID: 6032511
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
A flexible mold for bending pipes, comprising:a plurality of spring elements, pins and snap rings to secure said spring elements to said pins, said flexible mold being adapted to receive a straight pipe to be bent by a three-dimensional pipe bending process; whereinsaid spring elements are all arciform, both ends of each of said spring elements are provided with a hole, said holes receive said pins therethrough,lapping portions on each of said spring elements is lapped over lapping portions of adjacent spring elements, said pins being inserted through said holes on said lapping portions with said spring elements in a lapped orientation, such that said spring elements are in the form of a spiral spring flexible mold, said pins are provided on both ends thereof with an annular groove to receive said snag rings to secure said spring elements on said pins.