Workbench for the cold intervention, folding, bending, twisting or deformation of metal plates or sheets

The present invention relates to a workbench, and respective operating and manufacturing methods, for the cold intervention, folding, bending or deformation of metal plates or sheets, the constructive and functional features of which provide a solution to achieve an optimal balance between power and flexibility, such that it allows performing custom works on metal plates or sheets under power conditions that exceed human capacity. In that sense, the workbench provides a work area with multiple actuation and power options, constituting a plethora of possible combinations for the intervention, folding, bending, twisting or deformation of metal sheets of different shapes.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national phase entry under 35 USC 371 of international Patent Application No.: PCT/PE2017/000031 filed on 15 Dec. 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated, in their entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is comprised within the technological sector of apparatus for working on metal plates or sheets, particularly for cold working on said material.

PRIOR ART

There are generally two methods for working (modifying) metal parts, i.e., hot and cold working. Cold working is carried out by providing the metal part with a work moment exceeding its yield strength at a normal temperature, whereas in hot working, the work moment on the metal part is achieved by means of heating said part to a temperature which induces its plastic deformation. The method chosen in each case will depend on the characteristics of the metal part, the type of work to be performed, the available equipment, the production amount, the production cost, among others.

In terms of cold working, this type of work is basically limited by the amount and type of stress to which a metal part must be subjected in order to modify it according to a specific requirement. In relation to said limitations, some equipment or apparatus have been developed to make this work easier; in this sense, for example, Chinese patent application CN103861901A describes an apparatus for manufacturing circular frames for manholes, wherein said apparatus comprises a rigid plate coupled to one of the ends of the metal part to be deformed, a semicircular deflecting surface, and two fixed points with respective pulleys for applying force on the rigid plate, such that the metal part is bent when it comes into contact with the deflecting surface to form the circular frame. However, said apparatus is only intended for manufacturing a specific type of product (circular frames for manholes of a specific dimension) from a specific type of raw material (metal baffles or tubes); likewise, some of its components are limited only to force transmission, without obtaining any mechanical advantage in the use thereof, so the stress that is applied still constitutes a limitation.

On the other hand, US patent application US20140000336A1 describes a machine for cold forming metal sheets by bending, wherein said machine comprises a first tool on which the metal plate must be bent, and a second tool placed opposite the first tool. Both tools are movable towards one another, allowing the metal part to be received in the space existing between them. Furthermore, the machine comprises a third two-part tool, each part being placed on one side of the second tool; said tool being capable of moving linearly in relation to the first and second tool. Finally, the bending of the metal sheet is obtained by means of the movement of the three tools. Nevertheless, although this patent document does not provide any information about the constructive details of the machine, the power and movement requirements indicate an industrial-type machine.

Accordingly, when cold working of metal plates or sheets is required, there are two options; the first option involves manual working on said material, with the subsequent limitations of human effort, whereas the second option involves resorting to industrial or semi-industrial workshops with specialized machinery for high power-output and/or large-scale works, significantly limiting the possibilities of intervening on the metal in individual parts, either due to the cost or the configuration of the machinery.

In that sense, there is a need to explore other alternatives which allow multiple options for cold working on metal plates or sheets that exceed the upper limits of the effort of human capacity and in contrast with the complexity and cost of the large-scale work performed in workshops.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The general objective of the present invention is to provide a workbench for the cold intervention, folding, bending or deformation of metal plates or sheets, the constructive and functional features of which provide a solution to achieve an optimal balance between power and flexibility, such that it allows performing custom works on metal plates or sheets under power conditions that exceed human capacity.

In this sense, one of the specific objectives consists of providing a workbench for the cold intervention, folding, bending, twisting or deformation of metal sheets, wherein the workbench comprises a benchtop with a plurality of channels for receiving a metal sheet; a cord for acting on the metal sheet through a power point fixed in said metal sheet; tension adjustment means for pulling or releasing the cord, where one of the ends of the cord is coupled to said tension adjustment means; and force transmission means through which the cord passes to obtain a mechanical advantage, according to the tension applied to the cord by the tension adjustment means, where the tension adjustment means and the force transmission means are arranged on the benchtop. Likewise, the channel of the plurality of channels of the benchtop for receiving the metal sheet, the force transmission means, and the position of the power point fixed in the metal sheet and of the tension adjustment means on the benchtop are selected according to an angle of actuation and/or a desired mechanical advantage.

Another specific objective of the present invention is to provide a method for the cold intervention, folding, bending, twisting or deformation of metal sheets, wherein the method comprises the steps of:selecting a channel of a benchtop comprising a plurality of channels for placing a metal sheet, according to a desired angle of actuation, where the benchtop is part of a workbench;placing the metal sheet on the selected channel;fixing a power point on the metal sheet, according to a desired angle of actuation;providing a cord for acting on the metal sheet through the fixed power point;passing the cord through force transmission means suitably arranged on the benchtop, according to an angle of actuation and a desired mechanical advantage;coupling one of the ends of the cord to tension adjustment means suitably arranged on the benchtop, according to an angle of actuation and a desired mechanical advantage;applying tension to the cord through said tension adjustment means until achieving the desired result.

Finally, another specific objective of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a workbench for the cold intervention, folding, bending, twisting or deformation of metal sheets, wherein the method comprises the steps of:providing a box, with side walls and a lower base, made of a material suitable for making a formwork, the internal dimensions of which coincide with the external dimensions of the workbench to be manufactured;providing a perimetral metal frame for the workbench and coupling metal profiles to said frame for forming a plurality of channels, such that a metal structure is formed;placing the formed metal structure inside the provided box, such that the metal structure is in contact with the lower base of the box;providing a mesh formed by metal rods, having dimensions equal to or smaller than the internal dimensions of the box;placing the provided mesh inside the box, on top of the metal structure;pouring concrete into the box until reaching a desired level, to then leave the concrete to dry until it hardens, such that a benchtop is formed;taking the benchtop out of the box, to then place it in a position in which the metal structure is visible;removing the hardened concrete from the plurality of channels of the benchtop and completing the channels from end to end by means of cutting the metal profiles;arranging tension adjustment means and force transmission means on the benchtop;providing a cord that works together with the tension adjustment means and the force transmission means to act on a metal sheet through a power point fixed in said metal sheet.

It must be pointed out that the workbench and the respective methods have been particularly conceived to provide a work area with multiple actuation and power options, constituting a plethora of possible combinations for the intervention, folding, bending, twisting or deformation of metal sheets of different shapes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Details of at least one embodiment of the present invention are disclosed in this section; however, it must be understood that said embodiment is merely illustrative, since the invention can be carried out in different ways. Therefore, the specific details disclosed in this section must not be interpreted as limiting, but rather more as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching a person skilled in the art how to implement the present invention.

As can be seen inFIG. 1, a workbench1for the cold intervention, folding, bending, twisting or deformation of metal sheets comprises a benchtop2with a plurality of channels3for receiving a metal sheet21(FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the benchtop2is a rectangular benchtop; however, in other embodiments the benchtop can adopt the shape of any regular or irregular polygon, without this departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the workbench1comprises a plurality of rails4arranged on the benchtop2; however, it must be understood that depending on the implementation, said amount may range from one to more rails. Likewise, the benchtop2has a plurality of holes5to allow the installation of interchangeable components on the benchtop2. Said holes5are covered with protective elements6when they are not used, such that the entry of dirt and/or unwanted objects is prevented. Additionally, the benchtop2is arranged on a base7.

In relation toFIG. 2, the channels of the plurality of channels3(FIG. 1) correspond to vertical channels8, horizontal channels9and oblique channels10; however, in other embodiments the channels of the plurality of channels3(FIG. 1) can be distributed in one or more directions, without this departing from the scope of the invention. Likewise, in this document the terms “vertical”, “horizontal” or “oblique” must be understood in reference to the Cartesian plane11of thisFIG. 2. Furthermore, the workbench1comprises tension adjustment means12for pulling or releasing a cord22(FIG. 3), where one of the ends of the cord22(FIG. 3) is coupled to said tension adjustment means12. In this embodiment, the tension adjustment means12is a pinwheel with its respective lever. Likewise, the workbench1comprises force transmission means13, through which the cord22passes (FIG. 3) to obtain a mechanical advantage, according to the tension applied to the cord22(FIG. 3) by the tension adjustment means12. The force transmission means13comprise at least one of the group consisting of an open pulley13a, a closed pulley13b, a pulley with a clamp13c, a sheave13d, a fixed pulley block13e, a pivoting pulley block13fand a multiple pulley block13g(FIG. 3). Additionally, the workbench1comprises coupling means14arranged on the benchtop2for coupling force transmission means13to the benchtop2or for diverting the path of the cord22(FIG. 3), wherein the coupling means14comprise at least one of the group consisting of an eye bolt14a-14b, a shackle14c(FIGS. 2b-2c), an automatic shackle (not shown in the drawings) and a snap hook14d(FIG. 2b). On the other hand, cord securing means15are arranged on the benchtop2to prevent movement of the cord22(FIG. 3) after or while applying tension to said cord through the tension adjustment means12, wherein the cord securing means15comprise at least one of the group consisting of a clamp, a swing clamp15a, a fixed clamp (not shown in the drawings) and a cleat15b-15c.

In this embodiment, the tension means12, the force transmission means13a,13c-13f, the coupling means14aand the cord securing means15a,15bare arranged on the benchtop2in an interchangeable manner. Therefore, to illustrate this feature, sector S1, which is enlarged inFIG. 2a, will be taken as reference, wherein each of said means arranged in an interchangeable manner (in this case, the force transmission means13a) has a metal base16such that the holes5allow installing each metal base16on the benchtop2in a desired position through fixing elements17(for example, screws). Similarly, and now in reference to sector S2ofFIG. 2, which is enlarged inFIG. 2b, the coupling means14bcan also be arranged directly on the benchtop2using the holes5(FIG. 2). InFIG. 2b, an eye bolt14bis arranged on the benchtop2, where said eye bolt14bis coupled to a snap hook14dwhich is in turn coupled to a shackle14ccoupled to a closed pulley13b. Likewise, a cleat15cis also directly arranged on the benchtop2using the holes5(FIG. 2.

Still in relation toFIG. 2, each rail of the plurality of rails4arranged on the benchtop2is configured for receiving at least one carriage18that moves along said rail and allows the dynamic coupling of force transmission means9, wherein each carriage18can be arranged in an interchangeable manner on the plurality of rails4. This feature can be seen in sector S3, which is enlarged inFIG. 2c, wherein the carriage18can move along the rail4to a desired position; furthermore, the carriage18has an inner shackle19for coupling with a shackle14ccoupled to a closed pulley13b, and a safety element20to prevent movement of the carriage18once the desired position is reached.

Finally, in relation toFIG. 2, alternatively to changing the position of the tension adjustment means12every time it is required, there is the possibility of arranging secondary tension adjustment means12aon the benchtop2, such that during a work process, two or more actuation points (positions) can be previously established and the change can be performed more quickly.

In relation toFIG. 3, one of the channels of the plurality of channels3receives the metal sheet21, where the cord22acts on said metal sheet21through a power point23fixed thereon. Furthermore, an eye bolt24is placed on the power point23to allow actuating the cord22, wherein said eye bolt24is coupled to a first terminal of a scale25, whereas a second terminal of the scale25is coupled to a multiple pulley block13greceiving stresses from a plurality of components in the workbench1. The scale25thereby allows monitoring both the maximum power to which the sheet21is being subjected and the maximum power safety limits to which the components of the workbench1are subjected. The power point23can be observed in sector S′4, which corresponds to sector S4before placement of the eye bolt24. In this embodiment, the cord22is a rope-type cord.

In relation toFIG. 4, a first side rail26is arranged on the side surface of one of the smaller sides27of the workbench1, where there is arranged on said first side rail26a first side carriage28for coupling a first side closed pulley29. On the other hand, in relation toFIG. 5, a second aide rail30is arranged on the side surface of one of the larger sides31of the workbench1, where there is arranged on said second side rail30a second side carriage32for coupling a second side closed pulley33. Furthermore, a side cleat34is arranged on said side surface31. These components allow broadening the actuation and power options of the metal plate21(FIG. 3).

It must be indicated that the channel of the plurality of channels3of the benchtop2for receiving the metal sheet21, the force transmission means13and the position of the power point23fixed in the metal sheet21and of the tension adjustment means12on the benchtop2are selected according to an angle of actuation and/or a desired mechanical advantage.

In terms of the method of manufacturing the workbench1for the cold intervention, folding, bending, twisting or deformation of metal sheets, said method comprises providing a box, with side walls and a lower base, made of a material suitable for making a formwork, the internal dimensions of which coincide with the external dimensions of the workbench1to be manufactured. Furthermore, and now in relation toFIGS. 6a-6b, the method comprises providing a perimetral metal frame35for the workbench1and coupling metal profiles to said frame35for forming a plurality of channels36. In this embodiment, four horizontal profiles37are first placed, followed by eighteen vertical profiles38. Finally, twelve oblique profiles39are placed such that a metal structure40is formed. Said metal structure40is placed inside the box (not shown in the drawings) such that the metal structure40is in contact with the lower base of the box; likewise, a mesh formed by metal rods (not shown in the drawings), having dimensions equal to or smaller than the internal dimensions of the box, is provided. The mesh is placed inside the box, on top of the metal structure40, and concrete is poured into the box until reaching a desired level, to then leave the concrete to dry until it hardens, such that a benchtop2is formed. The benchtop2is removed from the box to then place it in a position in which the metal structure40is visible; the hardened concrete is then removed from the plurality of channels36of the benchtop and the channels are completed from end to end (A-A′, B-B′, C-C′, etc.) by means of cutting the metal profiles. A plurality of holes41is subsequently made on the benchtop2, and at least one rail (not shown inFIG. 6) is arranged on the benchtop2for placing at least one carriage configured for moving along the rail. Various alternatives for arranging the components (tension adjustment means, force transmission means, coupling means, and cord securing means) are therefore provided in the workbench1, as described above.

In one of the embodiments, the formed metal structure40is made of crude iron at a 90° angle; the metal rods with which the mesh is formed are made of corrugated iron; and the box with which the formwork is made is made of pinewood.

In relation toFIG. 7, the method of manufacturing also comprises providing a base for the bench1. To that end, at least one box made of a material suitable for making a formwork (for example, pinewood) is provided, and concrete is poured into said at least one box until reaching a desired level, to then leave the concrete to dry until it hardens, such that three concrete blocks42are formed. Each formed concrete block42is then taken out of the respective box; the three concrete blocks42are placed in a linear arrangement, maintaining a distance between each block; and the benchtop2is placed on said blocks42.

Finally, it must be indicated that in this document the terms metal “sheet” or “plate” must be understood as synonyms.