Improvements in Apparatus for Flanging Metal Plates.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Oct., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 4th July, 1891-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Flanging Metal Plates.
I, ALEXANDER CARNEGIE KIRK, of the firm of Robert Napier and Sons,
Lancefield House, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object the forming of flanges on metal plates in an
improved simple and economical manner.
In carrying out my invention I place the plate, in a heated state if necessary,
upon a block or anvil with the part to be bended into a flange extending over
a suitably shaped recess in the block or anvil. The part of the block beyond the
recess extends up a little higher than the part on which the plate is laid, and
the further side of the recess is curved to suit the downward path of the edge of
the plate whilst being bended into the flange.
The bending down of the flange is effected by means of a tool or shaper, which
on its under and concave side is of a form which will fit or nearly fit that of
the flange and a portion of the plate at the completion of the bending operation.
The upper or outer side of the tool is rounded or otherwise suitably shaped and is
acted upon by the ram of an hydraulic cylinder, or by a steam cylinder and piston
or other suitable motor apparatus; and the tool is depressed upon the plate one
part holding down the plate and the other part of it acting on the overhanging edge
and being guided in its downward movement by the curved side of the recess in the
anvil. By these means the edge part of the plate is gradually bended to form a
flange the plate being prevented from moving during the operation. In forming a
length of flange the plate is shifted between successive operations the part of
the tool acting in advance being rounded or curved so as to commence the bending
gradually.
Deted thi. Wichth day of October 1890.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Flanging Metal Plates.
I, ALEXANDER CARNEGIE KIRK, of the firm of Robert Napier and Sons,
Lancefield House, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer,
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, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object the forming of flanges on metal plates in an
improved, simple, and economical manner.
In carrying out my invention I place the plate, in a heated state if necessary
upon or in contact with a resisting block or anvil, with the part to be bended into
a flange extending over or across a suitably shaped recess in the block. The
further side of the recess is curved to suit the path of the edge of the plate whilst
being bended into the flange. The bending of the flange is effected by means of a
tool or shaper having a concave side made of a form to fit or nearly fit that of the
flange and a portion of the plate at the completion of the bending operation. The
shaper is acted on by the ram of an hydraulic cylinder or by a steam cylinder and
piston or other suitable motor apparatus; and the shaper is pressed upon the plate
D

page_text: one part holding the plate in contact with the block, and the other part acting on
the overhanging edge and being guided in its movement by the curved side of the
recess of the resisting block.
By these means the edge part of the plate is gradually bended to form a flange,
the plate being prevented from moving during the operation. In forming a length
of flange the plate is shifted between successive operations, or the apparatus if in a
portable form is shifted to successive parts of the plate, the part of the shaper or
tool acting in advance being rounded or curved so as to commence the bending
gradually.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same may
be properly understood hereunto append two sheets of explanatory drawings to
be hereinafter referred to and representing an example of my improved apparatus.
Figures, 1, and 2, on Sheet, 1, of the drawings are sectional side and front
elevations, and Figure, 3, is a horizontal section.
Figures, 4, and, 5, on Sheet, 2, are elevations showing two modes of using the
apparatus when in a portable form.
In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like
parts wherever they are repeated.
My improved apparatus may be constructed either as a fixed machine, or as a'
portable machine. The operating parts are attached to or carried by a massive
frame, G, shaped like the letter, G (as seen in Figure, 4) the machine as shown in
Figures 1, 2, 3, being arranged for bending a flange downwards from a plate, P,
placed horizontally. At one end of the frame, G, there is formed or fixed an
hydraulic cylinder, H, and at the other end there is formed or fixed a resisting
block, R. The resisting block, R, has attached to its inner side a removable
piece, R1, which is shaped to fit the concave side of the intended flange, and which
may be replaced by pieces shaped to suit different dimensions or forms of flanges.
The plate, P, to be flanged is placed upon the block, R, R 1, with its edge over-
hanging inwards beyond the block to a sufficient extent to form the flange, the
overhanging part being over a gap between the block, R, R 1, and the middle of the
frame, G. At the inner side of the gap a curved block, C, is fixed, its curved
surface facing the block, R, R 1, and being shaped to correspond with the patli of
the edge of the plate, P, whilst being bended. This curved block, C, may be
replaced by others shaped to suit different dimensions or forms of flanges.
The bending of the flange is effected by means of a tool or shaper, S, of the form
shown, which form may be varied for different cases. This shaper, S, is pressed
down upon the plate, P, by the ram or plunger, H 1, of the hydraulic cylinder, H;
and whilst its outer part, S 1, bears on the part of the plate, P, resting on the
block, R, its inner part, S 2, bears on the overhanging edge of the plate and bends it
down, the said part, S 2, being guided in its descent by the curved block, C,
the position finally assumed and the bent flange, F, being as indicated by dotted
lines. During the bending operation the plate, P', is prevented from shifting
by being firmly held upon the block, R, R 1, by the pressure upon it of the outer
side, S1, of the shaper, S. The shaper, S, is connected to the plunger, H 1, by a
link, S3, by means of which it is raised when the plunger returns upwards the
link, S3, being attached by a bolt having an elongated eye allowing the link some
freedom of movement so that it may not interfere with the proper bearing of the
plunger on the shaper when bending a flange. The plunger, H 1, is made with an
enlarged head or piston, and in the annular space in the cylinder under the
projecting part of this head a constant pressure is maintained and raises up
the plunger after each downward stroke whenever the upper end of the cylinder is
put in communication with the exhaust.
a crane.
In Figures, 4, and 5, the apparatus is shown in a portable form as supported by
In Figure, 4, the apparatus is shown as applied to bend a flange down-
wards it may however be applied, as shown in Figure, 5, to bend a flange
upwards; the apparatus can also be arranged to bend a flange in a horizontal or
inclined direction.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is :-
1. The combining together of the parts of apparatus for flanging metal plates, -
substantially in the improved manner hereinbefore described.
2. As an appliance for flanging metal plates, a shaper or tool, acted on by, an
hydraulic cylinder or equivalent motor apparatus, and made with projecting parts,
of which one (S1) holds the plate securely on a resisting block and the other (S2)
bears on and bends the flange, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Third day of July 1891
1
EDMUND HUNT,
-Applicant's Agent.