Former associated with an apparatus for making cages

A former (10) for a reinforced concrete cage making machine, adapted to hold a plurality of longitudinally extending rods is disclosed, the former (10) including a frame comprising an inner frame (21), an outer frame (20) and transverse frame members (22), and a plurality of rod supports (11), each rod support (11) adapted to hold an associated longitudinally extending rod, wherein the rod supports (11) are mounted to the frame (21, 20, 22) such that the transverse location of at least one of the rod supports (11) can be varied, relative to the frame (21, 20, 22).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a former for a cage-making machine which is adapted to hold a plurality of longitudinally extending rods and, in particular, to a former which is adapted to hold a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods.

The invention has been developed primarily for use with cage-making machines which are adapted for use in the construction of reinforcing cages for reinforcing concrete and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Some cage-making machines which are adapted for constructing reinforcing cages for reinforcing concrete utilise a former which is mounted on the machine. The former is adapted to hold a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods during the construction of a reinforcing cage. In particular, the former is adapted to hold the rods such that the rods are maintained in a particular transverse relationship with respect to each other. Cage-making machines which employ formers of this type are usually operated by firstly inserting a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods into the former. The rods are then progressively withdrawn from the former as a reinforcing cage is constructed. Construction of the cage typically involves winding a reinforcing bar around the withdrawn portions of the rods while simultaneously welding or otherwise attaching the bar to the rods.

A reinforcing cage manufacturer will usually have a number of formers on-hand with each former being adapted for use in the construction of a reinforcing cage having a particular arrangement of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods. There are a number of significant disadvantages associated with formers of this type.

One disadvantage is that, since cage-making machines usually permit only one former to be mounted thereon, it is often necessary to provide a sufficient amount of storage space to store the formers which are not in use.

A further disadvantage is that the manufacturer will often have to replace the former mounted on its cage-making machine with a diff rent former in order to produce a cage having a different arrangement of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods.

When a cage manufacturer transports its cage-making machine to a construction site, the manufacturer will often have to transport more than one former so that cages having different arrangements of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods can be constructed on-site. Transporting more than one former usually results in increased transportation costs.

Also, it often occurs that a manufacturer will not have a former on-hand which is suitable for constructing a cage having a particular arrangement of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods. Therefore, the manufacturer must either obtain a suitable former or somehow modify an existing former.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,773 (Pfender) discloses a machine for fabricating a reinforcing body or cage for a concrete pipe. The machine includes an axially stationary main wheel, an axially mobile support wheel mounted coaxially and drivable synchronously with the main wheel, a hub received by the main wheel, and a plurality of spokes radiating from the hub to the main wheel. Radially adjustable guide pieces are carried by the spokes and are used for supporting longitudinal rods of the cage which are to be welded to a wire which is wound around the rods. The transverse locations of the longitudinal rods relative to the main wheel and the hub are able to be adjusted by repositioning the radially adjustable guide pieces relative to the spokes so that the machine can be used for fabricating different types of cages.

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a former for holding a plurality of longitudinally extending rods and for use with a cage-making machine which is used for fabricating reinforcing cages for reinforcing concrete, the former including:

an inner frame member;

an outer frame member;

a plurality of transverse frame members located around a perimeter of the inner frame member and extending between the inner frame member and the outer frame member; and

a plurality of rod supports for holding the rods, wherein the rod supports are secured relative to the transverse frame members, and wherein the transverse location of at least one of the rod supports is able to be adjusted relative to the transverse frame member to which the at least one of the rod supports is secured,

the former being characterised in that the transverse location of at least one of the transverse frame members is able to be adjusted relative to the inner frame member and the outer frame member such that the at least one of the transverse frame members is able to radiate from a particular location on the perimeter of the inner frame member towards any one of a plurality of locations on the outer frame member.

Preferably, an aperture substantially extends through the outer frame member; andthe inner frame member is recieved by the aperature in the outer frame member.

Advantageously, the outer frame member is a cylinder and the aperture in the outer frame member extends longitudinally through the outer frame member.

Preferably, the radial location of at least one of the rod supports between the inner frame member and the outer frame member is able to be adjusted.

In a preferred form, at least one of the transverse frame members extends radially between the inner frame member and the outer frame member.

At least one of the transverse frame members is skewed relative to a radially extending position between the inner frame member and the outer frame member.

Advantageously, an aperture extends through the inner frame member. The aperture which extends through the inner frame member may be adapted to enable an axle which has a non-circular transverse cross-section to rotatably lock with the inner frame member. The aperture which extends through the inner frame member may have a non-circular transverse cross-section. For example, the aperture which extends through the inner frame member may have a rectangular transverse cross-section.

Preferably, the transverse frame members are removably mounted between the inner frame member and the outer frame member. The inner frame member and the outer frame member may each include locating formations which are adapted to locate the removable transverse frame members relative to the inner frame member and the outer frame member. Preferably, the locating formations of the inner frame member are located opposite an inside surface of the outer frame member, and the locating formations of the outer frame member are located opposite an outer surface of the inner frame member. Each of the locating formations may be in the form of a groove which is adapted to receive an associated one of the transverse frame members. In particular, each of the locating formations may be a radial groove. Each of the locating formations of the outer frame member may be in the form of a locating aperture which extends through a side of the outer frame member. Each of the locating apertures are adapted to receive the transverse frame members. Each of the locating apertures may extend radially through a side of the outer frame member. Preferably, the locating formations of the inner and outer frame members are adapted to enable at least one of the transverse frame members to be skewed relative to a radially extending position between the inner and outer frame members.

Advantageously, each of the transverse frame members is in the form of a plate. Each of the transverse frame members may include a plurality of mounting apertures

The mounting apertures are preferably elongate. The mounting apertures are preferably adapted to enable at least one of the rod supports to be removably secured to the plate.

The rod supports may be tubes.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment of a former is illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Band is designated generally as10. The former10is adapted to hold a plurality of longitudinally extending rods. The former10includes a frame and a plurality of rod supports11that are each adapted to hold an associated said longitudinally extending rod. The rod supports11are mounted to the frame such that the transverse location of the rod supports11can be varied relative to the frame.

The frame includes an outer frame member20, an inner frame member21and a plurality of transverse frame members22(note that only one is shown) extending between the outer and inner frame members20,21.

The rod supports11are mounted to the transverse frame members22. The outer frame member20is in the form of a cylinder having flanges30located at either end. An aperture31extends longitudinally through the outer frame member20. A plurality of locating formations in the form of radially extending grooves32are evenly distributed around an inner surface of the outer frame member20. Grooves32extend the length of the outer frame member20or, alternatively, the grooves32may only extend through the flanges30. Grooves32are substantially parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outer frame member20.

The inner frame member21is also in the form of a cylinder. The length of the inner frame member21is substantially equal to the length of the outer frame member20. A plurality of locating formations in the form of radially extending grooves42are evenly distributed around an outer surface of the inner frame member21. Grooves42extend the length of the inner frame member21. Alternatively, the grooves42may extend through a plurality of rings which are mounted at spaced locations on the inner frame member21. Grooves42are substantially parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the inner frame member21.

The inner frame member21is coaxial with the outer frame member20. Aperture31receives the inner frame member21such that the inner frame member21is spaced from the outer frame member20. Each groove42of the inner frame member21is aligned with an associated groove32of the outer frame member20.

Referring toFIGS. 2A and 2B, each transverse frame member22is generally in the form of a rectangular plate. The length of each transverse frame member22is substantially equal to the length of the outer and inner frame members20,21. The width of each transverse frame member22is such that the transverse frame members22can be mounted between the outer and inner frame members20,21. Each transverse frame member22includes a plurality of mounting apertures50extending therethrough. The mounting apertures50are arranged into three main banks51to53with each main bank51to53being formed from two minor banks54and55which are offset from one another.

Referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B, each rod support11is adapted to slidably receive a longitudinally extending rod. Each rod support11includes a tube60and a plurality of lugs61extending perpendicularly therefrom. Lugs61are aligned with each other and are spaced along the length of the tube60. A threaded aperture extends into each lug61from a free end thereof. The threaded apertures enable a bolt to be screwed into each lug61. The distance between each adjacent pair of lugs61is equal to the distance between an associated pair of adjacent and like minor banks (i.e. minor bank54or55). Also, the dimensions of the lugs61are such that each lug61can be received by a mounting aperture50. A rod support11is mounted to a transverse frame member22by inserting each lug61into an associated mounting aperture50of each main bank51to53. Once the lugs61are inserted into the transverse frame member22, the rod support11is secured to the transverse frame member22by screwing a bolt into the threaded aperture of each lug61. The mounting location of the rod supports11on the transverse frame member22can be varied by choosing different mounting apertures50.

Again referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B, a single transverse frame member22having a plurality of rod supports11mounted thereto is shown removably mounted between the outer and inner frame members20,21. The rod supports11are mounted to the transverse frame member22such that they are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of both the outer and inner fram members20,21. Further, the rod supports11are located on either side of the transverse frame member22such that the rod supports11on one side of the transverse frame member22are offset from the rod supports11on the opposite side of the transverse frame member22.

The transverse frame member22is mounted between the outer and inner frame members20,21by aligning each longitudinal edge of the transverse frame member22with an associated groove32or42and then sliding the transverse frame member22between the outer and inner frame members20,21. Each groove32,42is adapted to receive a longitudinal edge of the transverse frame member22such that the transverse frame member22is positively located relative to the outer and inner frame members20,21.

The transverse frame member22is able to be mounted such that it extends radially between the outer and inner frame members20,21. In this case the longitudinal edges of the transverse frame member22are received by aligned grooves32,42.

AlthoughFIG. 1Aonly shows a single transverse frame member22, a plurality of transverse frame members22will normally be mounted between the outer and inner frame members20,21. The transverse frame members22typically support the inner frame member21within the outer frame member20. However, the inner frame member21may be supported within the outer frame member20by some other means so that the inner frame member21maintains its position relative to the outer frame member20even if all of the transverse frame members22are removed from between the outer and inner frame members20,21.

FIG. 4illustrates the former10when a plurality of transverse frame members22are mounted between the outer and inner frame members20,21. The transverse frame members22extend radially between the outer and inner frame members20,21.

Referring toFIG. 5, the former10is shown having four transverse frame members22mounted between the outer and inner frame members20,21. As previously mentioned, each groove32of the outer frame member20is aligned with an associated groove42of the inner frame member21. Thus, when a transverse frame member22is mounted between the outer and inner frame members20,21by aligned grooves32,42, the transverse member22will extend radially between the outer and inner frame members20,21. However, grooves32,42are adapted so that the transverse frame members22can be mounted in grooves32,42which are not aligned with each other. This enables the transverse frame members22to be mounted such that they do not extend radially between the outer and inner frame members20,21and are slightly skewed. In other words, the inclination of the transverse frame members22relative to the outer and inner frame members20,21can be varied. As an example, grooves32,42may be adapted to enable the transverse frame members22to be mounted between the outer and inner frame members20,21in any one of the illustrated positions A, B, C, D or E.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bfurther illustrate the transverse frame member22used in the former10.

A second embodiment of a former is illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7Band is designated generally as100. For convenience, features of the former100that are similar or correspond to features of the former10have been referenced using the same reference numbers.

The outer frame member20is generally in the form of a cylinder having flanges30located at either end. The cylinder is constructed from a plurality of longitudinally extending elongated members101, wherein each elongated member101has a substantially rectangular transverse cross-section. Flanges30are provided by a pair of axially aligned rings that are spaced apart from each other. Each elongated member101extends between the rings and is suitably mounted to an inner surface of each ring. The elongated members101are mounted to the rings such that adjacent elongated members101are separated from each other by radial locating apertures102which function as locating formations. The locating apertures102, which are identical to each other, extend the length of the outer frame member20and are substantially parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outer frame member20. The locating apertures102are evenly distributed around the perimeter of the outer frame member20and each locating aperture102is aligned with an associated groove42of the inner frame member21.

There are two methods by which the transverse frame members22can be mounted between the outer and inner frame members20,21of the former100. The first method is identical to the method described in connection with the former10. According to the second method, a transverse frame member22is inserted through an associated locating aperture102so that a longitudinal edge of the transverse frame member22is received by an associated groove42and an opposite longitudinal edge is received by an associated locating aperture102. This second method is illustrated inFIG. 7Awhich shows three different transverse frame members22at various stages of insertion between the outer and inner frame members20,21. In order to use the second method, the rod supports11must be removed from the transverse frame members22before the transverse frame members22are able to pass through the locating apertures102. The transverse frame members22need to be secured to the outer or inner frame members20,21by a suitable means to prevent them from falling out of the former100.

Grooves42and locating apertures102can be configured so that the inclination of the transverse frame members22relative to the outer and inner frame members20,21can be varied.

A third embodiment of a former is illustrated inFIG. 8and is designated generally as200. For convenience, features of the former200that are similar or correspond to features of the previously described embodiments have been referenced using the same reference numbers.

Former200is similar to former10except that former200includes an intermediate frame member201. Also, transverse frame members22extend between the intermediate and inner frame members201,21. Further, transverse frame members22extend between the intermediate and outer frame members201,20.

The intermediate frame member201has a similar configuration to the outer frame member20except that the intermediate frame member201has a plurality of locating formations in the form of radial grooves202,203which are evenly distributed around an outer and inner surface, respectively, of the intermediate frame member201. Grooves202,203extend the length of the intermediate frame member201and are substantially parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the intermediate frame member201. Each groove202of the intermediate frame member201is aligned with an associated groove32of the outer frame member20. Also, each groove203of the intermediate frame member201is aligned with an associated groove42of the inner frame member21.

A fourth embodiment of a former is illustrated inFIGS. 9A and 9Band is designated generally as300. For convenience, features of the former300that are similar or correspond to features of the previously described embodiments have been referenced using the same reference numbers.

Former300is similar to former10except that former300includes an aperture301which extends through the inner frame member21. The aperture301is adapted to enable an axle having a non-circular transverse cross-section to rotatably lock with the inner frame member21. The aperture301has a rectangular transverse cross-section.

FIG. 10illustrates the configuration of the transverse frame members22which are used in the former300.

A fifth embodiment of a former is illustrated inFIGS. 11A and 11Band is designated generally as400. For convenience, features of the former400that are similar or correspond to features of the previously described embodiments have been referenced using the same reference numbers.

Former400is similar to former300except that former400uses transverse frame members401which have a different configuration to the transverse frame members22used by former300.

FIG. 12details the configuration of the transverse frame member401. Each transverse frame member401is generally in the form of a rectangular plate. The length of each transverse frame member401is substantially equal to the length of the outer and inner frame members20,21. The width of each transverse frame member401is substantially equal to the width of the gap between the outer and inner frame members20,21. Each transverse frame member401includes a plurality of elongated mounting apertures402,403extending therethrough. The mounting apertures402,403are arranged into three banks404to406with each bank404to406being formed from a pair of parallel mounting apertures402,403which are offset from one another.

The rod support11illustrated inFIGS. 13A and 13Bis identical to the rod support11illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B. The distance between each pair of adjacent lugs61is equal to the distance between an associated pair of adjacent and like mounting apertures402,403.

Rod support11is mounted to the transverse frame member401by inserting each lug61into an associated mounting aperture402or403. Once the lugs61are inserted into the transverse frame member401, the rod support11is secured to the transverse frame member401by screwing a bolt into the threaded aperture of each lug61. The location of the rod support11relative to the transverse frame member401can be varied by sliding the lugs61within the apertures402,403. This change of location can be implemented manually or by a suitable mechanical means.

A sixth embodiment of a former is illustrated inFIG. 14and is designated generally as500. For convenience, features of the former500that are similar or correspond to features of the previously described embodiments have been referenced using the same reference numbers.

Former500is similar to former200except that the inner frame member21of former500includes an aperture301in a similar manner to formers300and400.