Patent GB-1231685-A (GB)
IPC: B21D3/10
Filed: 1969-05-09
Abstract: 1,231,685. Straightening. W. B. PRIDY. 9 May, 1969, No. 23693/69. Heading B3E. [Also in Division F2] A portable apparatus for straightening an elongate resilient metallic member comprises a wheel-supported horizontally disposed frame A, a frame extension B telescopically mounted on the rear portion thereof, a carriage C longitudinally movable on the frame A and frame extension B, means G and D on the carriage for straightening an elongate resilient metallic member E supported longitudinally in the frame and frame extension, a horizontal driving member F on the forward end of the frame A for rotating the elongate member E, a prime mover V on the frame for rotating the driving member F, a driving sprocket L rotatably supported on the forward portion of the frame, power means K for rotating the driving sprocket, a driven sprocket N rotatably supported on the rear portion of the frame extension B which is connected to the driving sprocket L by an endless chain belt M extending longitudinally along the frame and frame extension, a cross-piece 240 on the frame that extends between the lower reaches; first means comprising an elongate U-shaped member 204 longitudinally positioned relative to the carriage C and affixed to the under portion with the upper reach of the belt M extending through the member, a transverse member 206 affixed to the rear end of the U-shaped member 204 above the belt and an elongate rigid block 210 which is removably engageable with the belt between the transverse plate 206 and a transversely disposed pin 218 so as to allow the carriage C to be moved longitudinally of the frame and frame extension when the belt M is driven; second means comprising a cable 244 attached to the forward end of the frame extension and leading rearwardly over a pulley 246 mounted on the rear of frame A, a hook 248 mounted on the free end of the cable 244 which is removably engageable with the lower reach of the belt, so that when moved forwardly, the belt moves the frame extension rearwardly relative to the frame; third means comprising a pulley 322 that engages the lower reach of the belt M rearwardly of the cross-piece 240, a body 326 supporting the pulley, a cable 332 attached to the pulley and a hook 334 attached to the free end of the cable 332 that removably engages the lower reach of the belt M forwardly of the cross-piece 240 so that when the lower reach of the belt is moved forwardly a loop of belt is formed over the cross-piece 240 which moves the frame extension B forwardly into the frame A; fourth means comprising a transverse rectangular first frame 284 slidably mounted on the frame extension, a cylindrical shell J longitudinally aligned with the driving member F and rigidly attached to the frame 284, a cylindrical body H rotatably supported in the shell J and means 294 for removably connecting the forward end of the elongate member E. In operation, tubes E to be straightened rest on a rack 174. First elevators Q are pivoted upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5 so that the tubes can be rolled from the rack 174 on to a cross-piece 152. The elevators Q are then pivoted downwards until the supported tubing rests on supports R where they are rolled along the supports to drop downwardly on the second elevators S and automatically centre in the gap 184. The second elevators are pivoted downwards so that the tube can be connected to the driving member F and frame 284 may be advanced towards the rear end of the tube as it is rotated to cause threads 294 to engage the threads 296 on the cylindrical body H since the body H is substantially fixed in relation to shell J by a pin 292. After threading, the pin 292 is removed to allow rotation of the member. The driving member F rotates the tube E with the driving sprocket L being concurrently caused to rotate in a direction to move the carriage rearwardly on frame A and frame extension B. Hydraulic fluid is then discharged to a cylinder 76 to cause piston-rod 78 and hence roller G to move downwardly and exert a substantial force on the portion of the tube E disposed between supports D as it rotates. After tube E has been straightened rotation is stopped and the pin 292 reinserted in slot 288. The direction of rotation is then reversed to free the tube E from the cylindrical body H and hydraulic fluid is discharged to cylinder 270 to cause forward movement of piston-rod 264 and in doing so moves frame 284 backwards until the body H is disposed rearwardly from the rear end of the tube E. The tube E is then gripped by a wrench and the driving member F activated to unscrew it from collar 202. Thereafter the second elevators S are actuated to pivot upwardly so that the straightened tube can be transferred to two arms T which are swung under the tube. The arms T are tilted downwardly by a piston and cylinder arrangement so that the tube rolls along the arms T to two second arms U which have been pivoted to extend outwardly relative to the frame.