Improvements in Machines for Bending Metals.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 28th Sept.. 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Bending Metals.
1, CHARLES ADAM BERTSCH, of Cambridge City, Wayne County, State of Indiana,
United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
-
This invention relates to machines for bending sheet metal etc. Such machines
generally consist of a pair of rolls which grip the metal and propel it forward over
the third roll, which compels the metal to curl up out of its normal plane into a
circle whose radius depends upon the adjusted position of the third roll. The two
rolls which grip and propel the sheet will be herein designated the pinching-rolls,
while the third roll will be designated as the bending roll. Sometimes, in machines
of this class, the rolls are disposed pyramidally, that is to say there are two lower
rolls on one level, and an upper roll centrally over these two. In this case the rolls
all coact as bending-rolls and pinching-rolls the degree of curvature of the bending
being adjusted by adjusting the distance which the lower periphery of the upper
roll projects below the upper peripheries of the lower rolls. In exemplifying my
invention I have chosen to show two pinching-rolls and a bending roll in the mauner
first indicated.
In bending rolls sometimes the sheets or rings of metal are bent into complete
circles which can only be removed from the rolls by some endwise system of with-
drawal. This is generally provided for by hinging one of the bearings of one of the
pinching-rolls so that this bearing can be removed, leaving the end of the roll clear
for the withdrawal of the ring which has been bent. Such removable bearing I term
a buckle-bearing.
The pinching-rolls having been properly adjusted to pinch the sheet, it becomes
generally necessary to throw them out of such adjustment in order to permit the
rolled up sheet or ring to be removed, and when a second sheet or ring is to be rolled
a new accurate pinching adjustment is called for. One object of my invention is to
avoid the necessity for this accurate adjustment, or for any disturbance of the
accurately pinching adjustment. A further object is to provide for readily opening
the rolls at the time of removing the buckle-bearing. A further object is to cause
one pinching-roll to counterbalance the weight of the other pinching-roll in order
that the opening of the rolls may be performed with ease.
The principle of my invention will be readily understood from the following
description of an exemplification of it, taken in connection with the accompanying
drawing, in which
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a bending machine exemplifying my improvements.
Fig. 2 an elevation, at the tail-end thereof, the right hand of Fig. 1 being
considered as the tail-end of the machine and the left hand end as the head of the
machine.
Fig. 3 an elevation of the right hand face of the head-housing, various parts
appearing in vertical section in plane of line "a" of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 an elevation, in the same plane as in Fig. 3° of the head box of the lower
pinching-roll with its immediate accessories.
Fig. 5 a front elevation of the right hand portion of the rolls viewed as in Fig. 1
but with the tail-housing appearing in vertical section in the plane of line "6" of
Fig. 2.
Fig. 6 an elevation similar to Fig. 5, but showing the buckle-bearing as removed
and the tail-housing in vertical section in the plane of line "c" of Fig. 2.
In the drawing A indicates the head housing.

page_text: C, the top pinching-roll.
D, the lower pinching-roll.
E, the bending roll arranged for adjustment in the housings in the usual manner.
F, the head journal of the top pinching-roll, having its usual bearing in the head-
housing and projecting outwardly beyond the same as usual for the reception of
gearing, an outboard bearing etc.
G, the tail-bearing of the top pinching-roll.
H, the usual gearing connecting the two pinching-rolls.
J, wedges under the boxes of the lower pinching-roll to serve as a
vertically adjusting that roll to secure the desired pinch upon the sheet.
means for
K, the head-box of the lower pinching-roll, vertically adjustable in the head-
housing, and adjusted therein for the desired pinch, by means of its proper wedge.
L, the tail box of the lower pinching-roll similarly arranged and similarly adjusted
in the tail-housing.
M, a movable support under the head box K, this movable support taking the form,
in the exemplification, of a block adapted to slide vertically in the housing, this block
forming the abuttment on which the appropriate wedge acts.
N, an outboard bearing upon the journal F.
O, a lever disposed along under the rolls and journalled to the head-housing and
projecting therefrom. to the tail-housing and projecting also outwardly beyond the
head-housing, this lover engaging under the block M.
P, a link connecting the outboard bearing with the lever O where the lever projects
beyond the head-housing.
Q, the usual hand screws for operating the wedges.
R, the tail journal of the lower pinching-roll.
S, the buckle-bearing hinged to the tail-housing, and engaging the tail journal of
the top pinching-roll and adapted to be swung out of engagement with that journal,
as indicated in Fig. 6.
T, the pivot on which the buckle-bearing swings.
U, a crank on the tail journal of the lower pinching-roll, to serve in turning the
pinching-roll by hand.
V, a vertical slot through the buckle-bearing to permit the swinging of the buckle-
bearing past the crank.
W, a removable pin engaging the tail-housing and the buckle-bearing when the
buckle-bearing is in normal position, this pin serving as a latchment for holding the
buckle-bearing in normal position, and for permitting the buckle-bearing to be swung
out of normal position.
X, an opening-lever fulcrumed upon the pivot of the buckle-bearing, and normally
standing upright contiguous to the buckle-bearing.
Y, a cam upon the lower end of this opening-lever, engaging under the lever O,
and serving when the opening-lever is properly manipulated, to elevate the tail end
of the lever O.
Z, a lock lug upon the opening lever engaging over the tail end of the lever O,
when the parts are in normal position.
a, in Fig. 1 the section-plane of Figs. 3 and 4.
, in Fig. 2 the section-plane of Fig. 5.
c, in Fig. 2 the section-plane of Fig. 6.
d, a removable pin engaging the opening lever X and the buckle-bearing, and
serving as a latchment by which these two parts may be integrated or segrated ;
and
e, an adjustable weighted lever formed at the top of the buckle-bearing.
In bending a sheet or bar these rolls operate in the ordinary manner,
and are
adjusted in the ordinary manner, my improved construction presenting no feature of
novelty in this respect.
When a sheet or bar has been bent into a ring upon the top roll, and it is desired
to remove the ring from the roll, the latchment W is disengaged and the buckle-
bearing swung out of engagement with the tail bearing of the top pinching-roll clear

page_text: so as to permit the removal of the ring. This is as usual my construction presenting
no feature of novelty in this respect.
But, in ordinary constructions, when the buckle-bearing has been swung clear, the
wedges, or other devices, employed for effecting the pinching-adjustment of the
pinching-rolls, would require to be manipulated in order to separate the pinching-
rolls so as to permit the ring to be freely withdrawn, and, before bending a new
ring of the same thickness and metal a re-adjustment of these devices would be
called for. In the illustrated machine, exemplifying my improvements, the rolls are
opened without disturbing the pinch-adjusting devices. Assuming that the buckle-
bearing has been turned down into the position indicated in Fig. 6 implies that
the latch-pin d has been disengaged, so as to permit the buckle-bearing to swing
down and leave the opening-lever X in normal position. The opening lever is now
turned down and the cam at its foot pries up the tail end of the lever O. This pulls
down the outhoard bearing N and elevates the top-opening roll and to a certain
extent opens the rolls. But, this certain extent might not be sufficient on very wide
sheets owing to the fact that the head-end of the top-roll rises but very little, the
head-housing forming the fulcrum on which the top-roll pivots, so to speak. It is to
be understood of course, that the tail-bearing of the top pinching-roll is to have
clearance so as to permit this tilting of the top-roll. This clearance may be given
by depressing the lower surface of the bearing, or by giving the bearing the form
of a vertical elipse, as indicated in the drawing. This detracts, of course, from the
bearing surface under the journal, but when the machine is under the strains of
work, the strains are all at the top bearing surface which needs no clearance.
In order to increase the amount of the roll opening movement I consider it
advisable to lower the head-end of the lower pinching-roll simultaneous with the
raising of the top pinching-roll. This accomplish, in the exemplification, by
supporting the wedge of the head box of the lower pinching-roll by means of the
lever O so that the same motion of the lever O which tilts the top pinching-roll to
the opening position will permit the head end of the lower pinching-roll to descend.
The tail end of the lower pinch-roll is not disturbed, but simply tips a little in
its hox.
Now it will also be apparent that this principle of construction not only secures an
advantageous opening of the rolls, but also that the weight of the head-end of the
lower pinching-roll counterbalances to a certain extent, the weight of the upper roll.
Therefore, the attendant, in operating the opening-lever, to elevate the top roll finds
the weight of the lower roll aiding him.
Instead of disengaging the latch-pin d and operating the buckle-bearing, and sub-
sequently the opening lever, the latch-pin d may be left in engagement and then the
mere act of swinging the buckle-bearing down will serve to open the rolls.
Not only
is this the case but the weight of the heavy buckle-bearing then becomes an element
in the counterbalancing system, the weight of the lower roll helping to counterbalance
the buckle-bearing and vice versa. The parts may, in the process of construction, he
proportioned into such degree of counterbalancing, as is desired, or the lower
pinching-roll may be arranged for preponderance, and the adjustable weight lever e
on the buckle-bearing be arranged to bring about the desired equalization.
advantage of this latter feature is that heavy rings being produced add their weight
to the weight of the lower pinching-roll, and the adjustable weight e serves as a
means by which this can be compensated for as the work progresses.
An
It will be understood that, as the buckle-bearing moves outwardly, it moves in
the arc of a circle and that, therefore, in order to clear its roll journal, the bearing
perture must have the proper clearance below, similar to the head-bearing
of the top-roll. This is common practice I believe in buckle-bearing construction.
It is to be understood of course, that the machine illustrated is a mere exemplification
of my invention. I have explained the principle of my invention, and the best mode.
n which I have contemplated applying that principle, and I now proceed to
particularly point out, and distinctly claim that which is original with me and sought
o be covered by Letters Patent.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In bending rolls, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a pair of housings,
top and bottom pinching-rolls journalled therein, a removable buckle-bearing at the
tail-end of the top pinching-roll, an outboard bearing at the head end of the
pinching-roll, and mechanism connecting said buckle-bearing and outboard bearing
in such manner that the disengagement of the buckle-bearing will cause the
depression of said outboard bearing.
2. In bending rolls, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a pair of
housings, top and bottom pinching-rolls journaled therein, a buckle-bearing engaging
the tail-journal of the top pinching-roll, a vertically movable support for the head-
bearing of the bottom pinching-roll, and mechanism connecting said buckle-bearing
and supported in such manner that the disengagement of the buckle-bearing will
permit the descent of said support.
In bending rolls, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a pair of housings,
top and bottom pinching-rolls journaled therein, a buckle-bearing engaging the tail
journ of the top pinching-roll, an outboard-bearing at the head end of the top
pinching-roll, a vertically movable support for the head-bearing of the lower pinching-
roll, and mechanism connecting said buckle-bearing and outboard bearing and
movably supported in such manner that the disengagement of the buckle-bearing
causes the descent of said outboard bearing and movable support.
4. In bending rolls, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a pair of housings,
top and bottom pinching-rolls journaled therein, a buckle-bearing engaging the tail
journal of the top pinching-roll, an outboard bearing at the head of the top pinching-
roll, a roll opening lever, and mechanism connecting said lever with said outboard
bearing in such manner that the manipulation of said lever may serve in elevating
and depressing said outboard hearing.
5. In bending rolls, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a pair of housings.
top and bottom pinching-rolls journaled therein, a buckle hearing engaging the tail
journal of the top pinching-roll, a vertical movable support for the head bearing of
the lower pinching-roll, a roll opening lever, and mechanisin connecting said lever
with said movable support in such manner that the manipulation of said lever
produces vertical movement of said vertical support.
6. In bending rolls, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a pair of housings,
top and bottom pinching-rolls journaled therein, a buckle-bearing engaging the tail
journal of the top pinching-roll an outboard bearing at the head of the top pinching-
roll, a vertically movable support for the head-bearing of the lower pinching-roll, a
roll opening lever, and mechanism connecting said lever with said outboard bearing
and said movable support in such a manner that the manipulation of the lever will
elevate or depress said outboard bearing and movable support.
7. In bending rolls, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a pair of housings,
top and bottom pinching-rolls journaled therein, a vertically moving boaring for the
head journal of one of said pinching rolls, a buckle-bearing engaging the tail journal
of the top pinching-roll, mechanism connecting said buckle-bearing with said vertically
moving hearing in such manner that the disengagement of the buckle-bearing causes
a roll-opening movement of said vertical-bearing, and an adjustable counterbalance
weight on said buckle-bearing.
8. In bending rolls, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a pair of housings,
top and bottom pinching-rolls journaled therein, a crank at the tail of the lower
pinching-roll, and a buckle-bearing engaging the tail journal of the top pinching-
roll and vertically slotted at said crank.
1000
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.