Patent Description:
Here and hereafter in the description, the term metal products means metal products intended for brackets, and otherwise, clamping elements, connection or joining elements, advantageously but not exclusively for the building trade.

The metal products can be obtained starting from bars, section bars, round pieces, reinforcement round pieces, rods or suchlike.

Machines suitable to obtain the various types of brackets required by the building trade, but not only, are known. One example is disclosed in <CIT>.

The machines generally comprise a drawing apparatus and a work apparatus which can comprise, for example, a bending device.

It is known that the work apparatus is located downstream of, and is aligned with, the drawing apparatus, to perform the required workings.

The drawing apparatus can be fed manually, or automatically, and is generally suitable to move linear metal products.

The metal products have a nominally round section, but can also have a square or sub-square section.

It is known that the metal products are obtained by rolling and it is also known that, depending on how they are made, the surface morphological configuration of the metal products is substantially parallel to the axis.

In certain production methods, the metal products have a morphological configuration that winds along the axis.

The drawing apparatus advances, toward the work apparatus, on each occasion and in a controlled manner, the desired length of metal product which, on each occasion, is to be processed.

Normally, there is a cutting unit between the drawing apparatus and the work apparatus.

The drawing apparatus generally consists of at least a pair of opposite rollers, at least one of which is motorized to feed the metal product toward the work apparatus.

It is also known that the metal products often have internal stresses, induced by previous workings, for example rolling, drawing or extrusion.

The internal mechanical stresses can remain dormant until a subsequent working of the metal product, for example a simple bending.

One of the problems that often occur in such products, during said processes, is the uncontrolled and unwanted deformation of the metal product which, on the one hand generates management problems and on the other leads to a finished product that is unsuitable for the purpose.

To overcome these shortcomings, machines to work metal products have been made which comprise two or more drawing apparatuses disposed in series.

The combination of several drawing apparatuses allows to have greater control of the drawing of the metal product. It also allows to contain the undesired deformation of the metal product.

These solutions, however, make the work machine more complex, creating management and control problems.

Furthermore, this solution is particularly expensive due to the high number of apparatuses required and to the need for correct coordination and control.

Furthermore, to avoid the onset of such deformations, the drawing apparatuses, which use rollers, are suitable to exert a high retaining pressure on the metal product.

The retaining action allows, for example, to contain the torsions of the metal product, at the same time hoping to be able to guarantee drawing even where the section of the metal product is different from the theoretical one.

In the case of drawing apparatuses that use caterpillar systems, the pressure between the tracks is not always sufficient.

However, it is known that the high retaining pressures can cause surface damage to the metal product. Moreover, they are not always able to guarantee a correct drawing.

It is also known that, in the case where two metal products are worked together, not even the high pressure is able to guarantee a uniform and identical, as well as simultaneous, feed of the two metal products.

<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose various types of devices for supplying metal bars to a work assembly.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine to work metal products which allows to obtain finished products of high quality of size and shape.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine to work metal products that is economical.

Another purpose of the present invention is to be able to work two metal products simultaneously.

Another purpose of the present invention is to simplify the machine.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine to work metal products that is simple to control and manage.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a work machine which does not damage the metal products being processed.

Another purpose of the present invention is also the possibility of working metal products obtaining the widest range of construction products.

Another purpose is to be able to work metal products that, when finished or semi-finished, have a greatly reduced tail end.

According to the invention it is also possible to work metal products so that the tail end of the bracket is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, advantageously between <NUM> and <NUM>, more advantageously about <NUM>.

The present invention is set forth and defined in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a machine to work oblong metal products comprises a drawing apparatus configured to feed at least one of the metal products in a direction of feed, and a work apparatus.

The work apparatus is provided with a work plane in which a bending device is present provided with a contrast element, advantageously having at least one cylindrical vertical wall, and with a bending element.

The work apparatus is positioned downstream of the drawing apparatus, aligned in the direction of feed.

The drawing apparatus comprises a first drawing unit and a second drawing unit opposite each other with respect to the direction of feed.

The machine also comprises at least one drive member to move the drawing apparatus.

The first drawing unit and the second drawing unit define between them, in the direction of feed, a drawing channel for the at least one metal product.

The drawing channel has a lying plane, defined by a plurality of anchoring inserts, for the at least one metal product, substantially tangent to the cylindrical vertical wall of the contrast element, and is coherent with the work plane.

An apparatus to supply the metal products can possibly be present upstream of the drawing apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention, at exit from the drawing channel, the machine has guide means, advantageously adjustable on the plane substantially orthogonal to the lying plane of the drawing channel, followed by a main cutting unit and the bending device.

The drawing apparatus has at least one position adjustable in a direction orthogonal to the direction of feed with respect to the work plane, so that the position of the at least one metal product is coherent with the work plane.

According to one embodiment, the first drawing unit and the second drawing unit each comprise a first wheel and a second wheel and a chain wound in a closed ring between the first wheel and the second wheel.

The drawing channel comprises an opposite plurality of upper anchoring inserts and lower anchoring inserts.

The lower anchoring inserts have a flat transverse seating, an aligned plurality of which constitutes the lying plane for the at least one metal product, to define the vertical positioning of the at least one metal product.

The upper anchoring inserts have a rounded transverse profile such that a reciprocal thrust is applied on the metal products toward the central longitudinal axis of the drawing channel, parallel to the direction of feed, and toward the lower anchoring inserts.

According to a variant embodiment, the first drawing unit and the second drawing unit have a plurality of drawing wheels aligned in the direction of feed.

The drawing wheels are adjustable to define the height of the drawing channel. The drawing channel is defined at the lower part by the transverse seatings which define the vertical positioning of the at least one metal product, and at the upper part by a rounded transverse profile.

According to another aspect of the present invention, upstream of the drawing apparatus there is a secondary cutting unit configured to perform, on each occasion, the head-wise or tail-wise butting of the at least one metal product.

The secondary cutting unit is the bilateral type and comprises opposite cutting means consisting of two upper cutting edges and two lower cutting edges, a first pair, upper and lower, of which is configured to perform the cutting of the head end of the at least one metal product, the other pair is configured to perform the cutting of the tail end of the metal product.

According to the present invention, at exit from the main cutting unit there are guiding and holding means consisting of branches.

The guiding and holding means lie on the same plane and are autonomous and advantageously adjustable, directly cooperating with the bending device.

The guiding and holding means have profiles with an extension which reaches the proximity of the center of the contrast element of the bending device.

The contrast element has a cylindrical portion with an axis of rotation and a flat portion close to the axis of rotation, the flat portion facing the guiding and holding means.

A first branch, which cooperates directly with the contrast element, has a wall substantially orthogonal to the work plane and substantially tangent to the cylindrical vertical wall of the contrast element, cooperating with the flat portion of the contrast element.

In the part that faces the wall substantially orthogonal to the work plane of the first branch, the other branch has an extension toward the first branch such that a thrust is exerted downward and toward the first branch.

The guiding and holding means and at least the contrast element are mobile to retract with respect to the work plane, between a working condition and a condition of non-interference.

The branches face each other and are positioned at an adjustable distance to each other in order to pass from a gripping position, which allows the clamping and axial positioning of the at least one metal product at least during the bending operation, to a release and guiding position of the at least one metal product, so that it can move.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the profile of the guiding and holding means is reduced in the direction of the contrast element, having a substantially flared shape in the direction of feed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least the upper anchoring inserts are provided with a gripping groove, for the at least one metal product, defined by tapered portions which from the sides narrow toward a central portion. The central portion of the gripping groove comprises inclined sides and the seating, defined by the rounded profile, located between them.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the upper anchoring inserts and the lower anchoring inserts cooperate laterally with anchoring links.

The anchoring links support and position the chains, the chains being sliding on contrasting bodies of the first drawing unit and of the second drawing unit.

At least one of the contrasting bodies cooperates elastically with a respective support body by means of elastic elements.

The present invention also concerns a method to work at least one metal product which uses the machine described above.

In particular, when the last bend is to be made on a metal product, a following metal product is used to axially position the preceding metal product in correspondence with the bending device and the guiding and holding means are driven to at least temporarily act also as a contrast element during the bending.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in order to retract the at least one metal product, which has at least one bend in a position of interference with the guiding and holding means and/or with the bending device, the guiding and holding means and the bending device are lowered, allowing the metal product to retract until it is in the proximity of the main cutting unit.

Furthermore, to make a shaped product with the metal product which has the end segment of the last bend comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, the metal product is retracted, after the guiding and holding means and the bending device have retracted from the work plane, before the main cutting unit intervenes to separate the shaped product from the metal product.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention provided by way of non-restrictive example, a machine to work oblong metal products is indicated as a whole by the reference number <NUM>.

The work machine <NUM> comprises at least one drawing apparatus <NUM>, configured to feed at least one of the metal products P in a direction of feed Z, and a work apparatus <NUM> positioned downstream of the drawing apparatus <NUM>, aligned in the direction of feed Z.

The work apparatus <NUM> is provided with a work plane 41a, in which there is a bending device <NUM> provided with a contrast element <NUM> and a bending element <NUM> mobile with respect to the contrast element <NUM> to determine the bending of the at least one metal product P around the bending element <NUM>.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the contrast element <NUM> has a cylindrical portion, having at least one cylindrical vertical wall with an axis of rotation, orthogonal to the work plane 41a, with respect to which the bending element <NUM> can rotate to determine the desired bends on the metal products P.

The contrast element <NUM> also has a flat vertical portion close to the axis of rotation.

The work plane 41a of the work apparatus <NUM> can be horizontal, sub-vertical or vertical.

Preferably, the work plane 41a of the work apparatus <NUM> is inclined between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, normally round about <NUM>° (<FIG>) to promote the discharge, by gravity, of the shaped elements just made.

The drawing apparatus <NUM> comprises a first drawing unit <NUM> and a second drawing unit <NUM> opposite each other with respect to the direction of feed Z and at least one drive member <NUM> to move them.

The first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> are parallel to each other and define, between them and in the direction of feed Z, a drawing channel <NUM> for the at least one metal product P.

The drawing channel <NUM> has a lying plane, defined by a plurality of anchoring inserts <NUM>, for the at least one metal product P, substantially tangent to the cylindrical vertical wall of the contrast device <NUM>, and coherent with the work plane 41a.

The drawing channel <NUM> can have a width coherent with a multiple of the section of the metal product P.

There can be a supply apparatus <NUM> of the metal products P upstream of the drawing apparatus <NUM>, as will be shown in a preferential embodiment.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, at exit from the drawing channel <NUM>, the machine <NUM> has guide means <NUM>, advantageously adjustable on the plane substantially orthogonal to the lying plane of the drawing channel <NUM>, followed by a main cutting unit <NUM>, configured to cut the at least one metal product P to the desired size, and by the bending device <NUM>.

The main cutting unit <NUM> comprises cutting blades <NUM> in which, according to a preferential solution, at least one of the cutting blades <NUM> is mobile with respect to the other to perform the cutting action of the metal product P.

At exit from the main cutting unit <NUM>, guiding and holding means <NUM> are present, lying on the same plane, autonomous, advantageously adjustable, and cooperating directly with the bending device <NUM> to allow the desired bends to be made on the metal product P.

The guiding and holding means <NUM> also cooperate with the guide means <NUM> to correctly position the metal product P in the desired position during the working steps thereof.

The guiding and holding means <NUM> have profiles with an extension that reaches the proximity of the center of the contrast element <NUM> of the bending device <NUM>.

The guiding and holding means <NUM> have an elongated profile in the direction of feed Z, toward the center of the contrast element <NUM>, to allow to hold the at least one metal product P and to allow the bending also of its end portions.

In particular, the guiding and holding means <NUM> are substantially parallel to the work plane 41a of the work apparatus <NUM>.

The profile of the guiding and holding means <NUM> advantageously decreases in the direction of the contrast element <NUM>, having a substantially flared shape in the direction of feed Z.

This allows to reduce their weight and bulk, at least during the bending process.

The guiding and holding means <NUM> comprise a pair of branches <NUM>, <NUM> facing each other and positioned at an adjustable distance from each other in order to pass from a gripping position, which allows the clamping and axial positioning of the at least one metal product P at least during the bending operation, to a release position of the at least one metal product P, for example to move it with the drawing apparatus <NUM>.

For this purpose, at least one of the branches <NUM>, <NUM> is mobile in a direction orthogonal to the direction of feed Z.

According to the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the branch <NUM> is mobile and the branch <NUM> is fixed. However, it is not excluded that the branch <NUM> can be fixed and the branch <NUM> mobile, or both can be mobile.

In the configuration shown in <FIG>, the branch <NUM> is fixed and, if the work plane 41a is inclined, it is configured to act as a support for the at least one metal product P which, by gravity, tends to rest on it.

For this purpose the branch <NUM> is provided with a wall substantially orthogonal with respect to the work plane 41a and substantially tangent to the cylindrical vertical wall of the contrast element <NUM>, cooperating with the flat portion thereof.

In the part facing the wall substantially orthogonal to the work plane 41a of the branch <NUM>, the mobile branch <NUM> has an extension toward the latter such that a thrust is exerted downward and toward the branch <NUM>.

This solution is particularly useful in the case of two metal products P.

With this configuration, the at least one metal product P is always aligned with the contrast element <NUM>, thus allowing to obtain extremely precise bends.

The guiding and holding means <NUM> can be the replaceable type or the adjustable type so they can be adapted to the size and number of metal products P.

The branches <NUM>, <NUM> have an elongated profile in the direction of feed Z and which is reduced in the direction of the contrast element <NUM>. By way of example, the branches <NUM>, <NUM> can have a prismatic profile with a triangular base.

This allows the bending element <NUM> to rotate around the contrast element <NUM> by a greater angle, thus being able to produce bends up to an angle of about <NUM>°.

The branches <NUM>, <NUM> have ends <NUM>, <NUM> which, during use, are positioned at the smallest possible distance from the contrast element <NUM>. In particular, the ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the branches <NUM>, <NUM> face the flat portion of the contrast element <NUM>.

This configuration of the guiding and holding means <NUM> allows to make bends also on portions of the metal products P which have very small tail ends, up to about <NUM>.

In this way it is possible to reduce the work waste of the metal products P, increase productivity and at the same time avoid making end products that do not comply with the purpose.

The guiding and holding means <NUM> are mobile retractable with respect to the work plane 41a between a working condition, protruding, and a condition of non-interference, retracted, so as not to interfere with the movement of the metal products P, for example during the step when the shaped piece is retracted, as will be explained in more detail below.

The bending device <NUM> can also alternatively have a working condition and a condition of non-interference.

In particular, the contrast element <NUM> can be fixed or suitable to possibly have the working condition and non-interference condition in a manner coordinated, or not, with the guiding and holding means <NUM>.

The conformation of the contrast element <NUM> allows the branches <NUM>, <NUM> of the guiding and holding means <NUM> to have the respective ends <NUM>, <NUM> arrive in close proximity to the center of the contrast element <NUM>, thus allowing to guide the tail end of the at least one metal product P up to the minimum distance desired from the center of the contrast element <NUM>.

Since in this case the tail end of the at least one metal product P can no longer be moved by the drawing apparatus <NUM>, Applicant has perfected a method to feed and position the at least one metal product P, as will be shown in more detail below.

In accordance with the embodiments described here, the first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> are the caterpillar type and advantageously, but not exclusively, are positioned on a single vertical or sub-vertical plane.

The first drawing unit <NUM>, positioned above, is installed on a support slider <NUM> mobile orthogonally with respect to the direction of feed Z.

The second drawing unit <NUM>, positioned below, is installed on a fixed support structure <NUM> and is opposite the first drawing unit <NUM>.

The support slider <NUM> is associated with positioning and adjustment means <NUM> which support and position it with respect to the second drawing unit <NUM>.

The positioning and adjustment means <NUM> move the first drawing unit <NUM> toward/away from the second drawing unit <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the direction of feed Z, so as to define between them the drawing channel <NUM> for the at least one metal product P, exerting the drawing action thereon.

According to possible solutions of the invention, the positioning and adjustment means <NUM> can comprise a linear actuator, a screw jack, an electric actuator, an oil dynamic actuator, or other type.

In the solution shown by way of example in <FIG> and <FIG>, the support structure <NUM> is advantageously fixed, the support slider <NUM> is advantageously associated with the positioning and adjustment means <NUM>.

The positioning and adjustment means <NUM> comprise, by way of example, an actuator jack 27a which defines the correct position of the first drawing unit <NUM> with respect to the second drawing unit <NUM> and at the same time imparts the desired pressure on the metal product P.

The actuator jack 27a cooperates with guides <NUM> on which the support slider <NUM> of the first drawing unit <NUM> slides.

The drawing channel <NUM> is defined by an opposite plurality of anchoring inserts <NUM>.

The drawing channel <NUM> is defined by an opposite plurality of upper 21a and lower 21b anchoring inserts respectively moved by the first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM>.

The lower anchoring inserts 21b have at least one flat transverse seating 26b, an aligned plurality of which constitutes the lying plane for the at least one metal product P, to define the vertical positioning of the at least one metal product P.

The upper anchoring inserts 21a have centering and clamping means which have a rounded transverse profile such that on the metal products P a reciprocal thrust is applied toward the longitudinal central axis of the drawing channel <NUM> and toward the lower anchoring inserts 21b.

In the drawing channel <NUM> the upper anchoring inserts 21a can face the lower anchoring inserts 21b.

According to a preferential variant, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper anchoring inserts 21a and the lower anchoring inserts 21b are offset in the direction of feed Z by a desired value, in order to improve the drawing effect of the metal product P without creating surface, linear, or other, deformations thereon.

In the case of two or more metal products P, the profile of the upper anchoring insert 21a is such as to impart a thrust on the metal products P in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of feed Z toward the center of the drawing channel <NUM>.

The drawing channel <NUM> is configured to generate a desired holding action on a longitudinal portion of the metal products P, an action which allows to maintain their linearity and guarantee a correct feed action in every situation.

According to the embodiments described here, the first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> each comprise a first wheel <NUM>, a second wheel <NUM>, distant from each other, and a chain <NUM> wound in a closed ring between the first wheel <NUM> and the second wheel <NUM>.

The chains <NUM> each define at least one respective first return segment <NUM>, comprised between the first wheel <NUM> and the second wheel <NUM>.

The first return segments <NUM> of both chains <NUM> are parallel and opposite the direction of feed Z to define between them the drawing channel <NUM> for the at least one metal product P.

The first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> can also comprise tensioning means <NUM> of the chain <NUM>, to guarantee a correct drawing action and at the same time to facilitate assembly, disassembly and maintenance thereof.

A contrasting body <NUM> is associated with at least one of either the first drawing unit <NUM> or the second drawing unit <NUM>, advantageously with both, to exert a thrusting action toward the metal product P so as to ensure it is correctly drawn.

The contrasting body <NUM> advantageously covers at least the entire length of the drawing action.

The length of the drawing action is intended as the length of the return segment <NUM> and therefore of the chain segment <NUM> which imparts the drawing action on the at least one metal product P.

In the case provided here by way of example, the contrasting body <NUM> cooperates with a support body <NUM> associated stably with the support slider <NUM> and with the support structure <NUM> of the first drawing unit <NUM> and of the second drawing unit <NUM> respectively.

Between the contrasting body <NUM> and the support body <NUM> elastic elements <NUM> can be present, provided to impart an elastic thrust on the metal product P, in the case where the metal product P does not have a constant section.

The elastic elements <NUM> can be of any type, for example an elastic body <NUM>, one or more springs <NUM>, or a combination of an elastic body <NUM> and one or more springs <NUM>.

According to embodiments described here, advantageously but not exclusively, the drive member <NUM> determines the movement of the two chains <NUM>.

According to a variant, the first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> can be driven by independent but coordinated drive members <NUM> or by a single drive member <NUM>.

The first wheel <NUM> or the second wheel <NUM> is equipped to guarantee the desired drawing action on the chain <NUM> so as to make it advance linearly at the desired speed.

Each chain <NUM>, in the example shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, is defined by coordinated link elements <NUM>, which cooperate respectively with the first wheel <NUM> and the second wheel <NUM> of the first drawing unit <NUM> and second drawing unit <NUM>.

In the solution given here by way of example, the chains <NUM> are provided with anchoring inserts <NUM> installed one adjacent to the other, along the development of the chains <NUM>, and the profile of which is configured to define the drawing channel <NUM> which performs the gripping action on the at least one metal product P.

Each anchoring insert <NUM>, in this case, is attached integral to at least two consecutive link elements <NUM> of the chain <NUM>.

The chain <NUM> comprises a ring-shaped succession of link elements 20a, 20b reciprocally connected by support and return links <NUM> by means of a pin <NUM>.

The link elements 20a, 20b respectively comprise external links 56a and internal links 56b connected by the pin <NUM>, coaxially to which rollers <NUM> run.

The chain <NUM> is supported and positioned by anchoring links <NUM>. For this purpose, the linking elements 20a, 20b of the chain <NUM> are connected, on the opposite side to the one where they are connected to the support and return links <NUM>, to the anchoring links <NUM> by the pin <NUM>.

The anchoring inserts <NUM> cooperate laterally with the anchoring links <NUM>. For this purpose, the anchoring links <NUM> support and position the respective anchoring inserts <NUM>.

The anchoring links <NUM> are stably connected to the anchoring inserts <NUM> by attachment means <NUM>. In this way it is possible to move the anchoring inserts <NUM> by means of the chain <NUM>.

The chain <NUM> is slidable on the contrasting body <NUM>. In particular, the rollers <NUM> of the chain <NUM> are configured to slide on the contrasting body <NUM> which, in this case, cooperates with the support body <NUM> by means of the elastic elements <NUM>.

The contrasting body <NUM> supports and positions a plurality of sliding elements <NUM> on which the external links 56a and anchoring links <NUM> are configured to slide.

According to embodiments described here, each anchoring insert <NUM> can be provided with attachment portions <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>) for connection with the chain <NUM>.

The attachment portions <NUM> define support planes for the anchoring links <NUM>.

The attachment portions <NUM> can comprise, purely by way of example, holes, for example threaded for coupling with the attachment means <NUM> such as, purely by way of example, screws, pins, rivets, nails.

The anchoring insert <NUM> is provided with a base surface <NUM>, part of which cooperates with the at least one metal product P and defines part of the drawing channel <NUM>.

At least the upper anchoring inserts 21a are provided with a gripping groove <NUM>, made on the base surface <NUM>, in which a portion of the at least one metal product P is positioned on each occasion.

The gripping groove <NUM> extends through the length of the anchoring insert <NUM>, along a longitudinal axis X which, during use, is parallel to the direction of feed Z.

The gripping groove <NUM> is advantageously defined by two tapered portions <NUM> which, from the sides, both narrow toward a central portion <NUM>.

Advantageously, the tapers are both in a longitudinal and transverse direction of the base surface <NUM>.

The central portion <NUM> can define a flat segment, that is, define a connection edge, or even a connection curve.

The tapered portions <NUM> can have flat faces, they can also have curved faces or also be defined by curves.

The conformation of the central portion <NUM> allows to define a narrowing of the cross section of the gripping groove <NUM>, which allows to increase the gripping and holding efficiency exerted on the at least one metal product P.

For this purpose, the central portion <NUM> comprises two inclined sides 26a and a seating 26b located between them.

The seating 26b of the lower anchoring insert 21b defines the correct position of the metal product P with respect to the direction of feed Z.

If two or more metal products P are fed, the seating 26b is such as to correctly position them vertically.

In the case of one or more metal products P, the seating 26b of the upper inserts 21a is such that the metal products P are thrust toward the center and all positioned in lateral contact where they are clamped during drawing.

The drawing apparatus <NUM> has at least one position adjustable in a direction orthogonal to the direction of feed Z with respect to the work plane 41a, so that the position of the at least one metal product P is coherent with the work plane 41a.

The lying plane for the at least one metal product P, defined by the plurality of seatings 26b of the lower anchoring inserts 21b, must be correctly positioned with respect to the vertical wall of the contrast element <NUM> so that the at least one metal product P reaches the contrast element <NUM> tangent to the vertical wall.

The lying plane will therefore be substantially tangent to the vertical wall of the contrast element <NUM>.

On each occasion, the lateral positioning of the drawing channel <NUM>, because of the number of metal products P that it has to draw, will take into account the fact that the positioning of the metal product P must also be coherent with the work plane 41a of the bending device <NUM>, so that at least one metal product P cooperates with the work plane 41a remaining substantially tangent to the vertical wall of the contrast element <NUM>.

When the upper anchoring inserts 21a face the lower anchoring inserts 21b, their central portions <NUM> define a narrowing of the cross section of the drawing channel <NUM>.

In this zone, the at least one metal product P is subjected to the desired pressure such that it ensures the grip for the correct drawing of the metal product P.

According to the first embodiment, shown in <FIG>, the drawing apparatus <NUM> is configured to feed a single metal product P in the direction of feed Z.

In this case, the upper anchoring inserts 21a and the lower anchoring inserts 21b, advantageously although not necessarily, are the same.

The metal product P moves along the drawing channel <NUM> always in contact with the inclined sides 26a of the upper 21a and lower 21b anchoring inserts which on each occasion define the drawing channel <NUM>.

The seating 26b can have a rounded profile with a connection radius possibly smaller than the transverse size of the metal product P, so as to promote its contact with the lateral sides 26a.

According to the second embodiment, shown in <FIG>, the drawing apparatus <NUM> is configured to feed two metal products P together in the direction of feed Z.

In this case, the shape of the tapered portions <NUM> and of the central portion <NUM> of the anchoring inserts <NUM> is configured to bring the two metal products P into contact, or substantially into contact.

In this case, the upper anchoring inserts 21a and the lower anchoring inserts 21b are advantageously different.

The upper anchoring inserts 21a have a seating 26b which has a rounded profile coherent with the transverse size of two paired metal products P, so as to promote their contact with the lateral sides 26a.

In this case, the metal products P are forced both to proceed in pairs, and to proceed one thrust against the other and to proceed at the same speed.

The lower anchoring inserts 21b have a seating 26b defined by a flat segment, advantageously by a straight edge on which the two metal products P rest.

The size of the seating 26b of the anchoring inserts 21b must be suitable to guarantee that the two metal products P fed are supported.

During use, the two metal products P are fed along the drawing channel <NUM> always in contact with the inclined sides 26a of the upper anchoring inserts 21a and resting on the seating 26b of the lower anchoring inserts 21b.

In this way, the two metal products P can advance side by side and thrust one onto the other by the constraining reaction generated by the contact with the inclined sides 26a of the upper anchoring inserts 21a.

According to embodiments described here, the tapered portions <NUM> are inclined, with respect to the longitudinal axis X, by a first angle of inclination α comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, preferably between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

According to solutions shown in <FIG> and in <FIG>, the gripping groove <NUM> is made with an angle of divergence β comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>° (preferably between <NUM>° and <NUM>°) and symmetrical with respect to the central axis, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and lies on a plane orthogonal to the latter.

According to the second embodiment, if two metal products P are fed, the angle of divergence β is greater than when only one metal product P is fed.

According to embodiments described here, the shape of the tapered portions <NUM> prevents interference of the anchoring inserts <NUM> with the at least one metal product P in the zones of entry to and exit from the drawing apparatus <NUM>.

The linking elements <NUM> of the chains <NUM> and/or the anchoring inserts <NUM>, in correspondence with the first return segments <NUM>, are positioned, during use, with one of their surfaces opposite the base surface <NUM>, resting on the contrasting body <NUM> to exert pressure on the at least one metal product P.

The chains <NUM> of the first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> can comprise a second return segment <NUM>, comprised between the first wheel <NUM> and the second wheel <NUM>, and opposite the first return segment <NUM>.

Although the embodiments described here refer to a caterpillar-type drawing apparatus <NUM>, the work apparatus <NUM> and in particular the guiding and holding means <NUM> described above are configured to operate with any type of drawing apparatus known to a person of skill in the art.

The first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> can have a plurality of drawing wheels aligned in the direction of feed Z.

The drawing wheels can be adjustable to define the height of the drawing channel <NUM>.

The drawing channel <NUM> can be defined at the lower part by the seatings 26b, which define the vertical positioning of the metal product P, and at the upper part by a rounded transverse profile.

According to a first embodiment, shown in <FIG>, the work machine <NUM> can comprise a supply apparatus <NUM> positioned upstream of the drawing apparatus <NUM> and configured to supply, on each occasion, a metal product P to the drawing apparatus <NUM>.

The supply apparatus <NUM> can comprise at least one support bench <NUM> of the metal products P and a removal device <NUM> of the metal products P.

The supply apparatus <NUM> also comprises a feed device <NUM> to feed the product P removed to the drawing apparatus <NUM>.

The feed device <NUM> can comprise at least a pair of opposite drawing rollers <NUM>, configured to receive the metal product P and transfer it to the drawing apparatus <NUM> in the direction of feed Z.

According to a second embodiment, shown in <FIG>, the work machine <NUM> can comprise a known supply apparatus, not shown, positioned upstream of the drawing apparatus <NUM>.

There is a secondary cutting unit <NUM> upstream of the drawing apparatus <NUM>, configured to perform, on each occasion, the head-wise or tail-wise butting of the metal products P.

The secondary cutting unit <NUM> is defined so as to perform correct cuts of the head end and the tail end of the metal products P.

The secondary cutting unit <NUM> is the bilateral type and comprises opposite cutting means consisting of two upper cutting edges 53a and 53b and two lower cutting edges 53c and 53d, at least one of which is mobile to butt the metal products P.

The upper cutting edge 53b and the lower cutting edge 53d are configured to cut the head end of the at least one metal product P.

The upper cutting edge 53a and the lower cutting edge 53c are configured to cut the tail end of the metal product P.

The importance of the two ends is described in the method according to the present invention.

In particular, the cuts become important when it is desired that a metal product P is thrust by the desired value by the following metal product P, as for example in <FIG>.

This is fundamental both to guarantee a homogeneous feed of the metal products P in the direction of feed Z, as well as to work metal products P together which have the same length, avoiding different and uneven bends.

According to embodiments described here, the machine <NUM> comprises upstream of the drawing apparatus <NUM> at least one introduction member <NUM> (<FIG>), and downstream of the drawing apparatus <NUM> the guide means <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) provided to control, and possibly coordinate, the exit of the at least one metal product P from the drawing apparatus <NUM> toward the work apparatus <NUM>.

Advantageously, the guide means <NUM> are adjustable in relation to the size of the metal products P.

According to possible solutions of the present invention, the work machine <NUM> comprises at least one detector <NUM> configured to detect at least the head and tail ends of the at least one metal product P, and consequently determine the actuation modes of the components of the work machine <NUM>.

The detector <NUM> can be installed directly upstream of the drawing apparatus <NUM>, or between the drawing apparatus <NUM> and the supply apparatus <NUM>, or downstream of the drawing apparatus <NUM>.

According to a possible solution of the invention, the drawing apparatus <NUM> can comprise a control and management unit, not shown, connected to the supply apparatus <NUM>, to the detector <NUM>, to the drawing apparatus <NUM>, to the work apparatus <NUM> to manage and command the actuation modes of the various apparatuses and determine the sequence of operations to be performed on the at least one metal product P.

The work machine <NUM> can be configured to process metal products P in the form of segments of predetermined length, for example, a length comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>.

By way of example only, <FIG> show an operating sequence of the functioning of the work machine <NUM> according to the present invention.

In particular, with reference to <FIG>, a first metal product P is moved by the drawing apparatus <NUM> toward the work apparatus <NUM>.

During this operating step, the first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> are pressed, one toward the other, to exert a pressure on the metal product P which passes, during use, through them.

The pressure exerted through the first return segments <NUM> prevents a rotation of the metal product P on itself, for example during the bending operations which are performed by the bending device <NUM>.

Furthermore, the pressure of the first return segments <NUM> on the metal product P, if the drive members <NUM> are deactivated, allows to clamp the metal product P, preventing it from advancing in the axial direction, for example due to the drawing action which is induced by the bending device <NUM>.

While the bends are being made, it is also possible to clamp the metal product P with the guiding and holding means <NUM> to constrain its position.

When a tail end of the metal product P, shown in <FIG> with the reference "E", is in the drawing apparatus <NUM>, a second metal product P has already begun to be removed with the removal device <NUM>. In particular, the removal device <NUM> removes the second metal product P from the support bench <NUM> and supplies it to the feeding device <NUM>.

The feed device <NUM> moves the head end, indicated in the drawings by the reference "H", of the second metal product P toward the drawing apparatus <NUM>.

The first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> are distanced from each other to increase the sizes of the passage cross section of the drawing channel <NUM> and allow the insertion of the second metal product (<FIG>).

Before the first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> are reciprocally distanced, the guiding and holding means <NUM> are activated to clamp the first metal product P and prevent it from rotating on itself or from losing its angular position in the direction of feed Z.

When the head end H of the second product P is in contact or proximity with the tail end E of the first product P (<FIG>), the drawing apparatus <NUM> is closed, that is, the first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> clamp, with the respective first return segments <NUM>, both the first and second metal product P.

In this condition, the guiding and holding means <NUM> are deactivated and the drawing apparatus <NUM> can be driven to feed both metal products P toward the work apparatus <NUM>.

In particular, once the first metal product P has exited with its tail end E from the drawing apparatus <NUM>, that is, it is no longer gripped by the first return segments <NUM>, its feed in the direction of feed Z is obtained by the thrust exerted by the head end H of the second metal product P.

The second metal product P is moved by driving the first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM>.

The thrust exerted by the head end H allows the working to be completed and to discharge the metal product P from the guide means <NUM>.

The guide means <NUM> allow to guide the movement of the metal product P toward the work apparatus <NUM>, and therefore guarantees the reciprocal contact between the tail end E of the first metal product P and the head end H of the second metal product P.

With reference to <FIG>, some operating sequences of the machine <NUM> are shown according to the embodiments shown in <FIG> according to which the machine <NUM> can work two metal products P together.

In this case, before supplying the metal products P to the drawing apparatus <NUM>, advantageously a step of butting them with the secondary cutting unit <NUM> is performed. For this purpose, the secondary cutting unit <NUM> performs on each occasion the head and/or tail end butting of the at least one metal product P.

During the step of butting the tail end (<FIG>), the first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> are pressed one toward the other and the cutting of the tail end of the metal product P is performed with the upper cutting edge 53b and lower cutting edge 53d of the secondary cutting unit <NUM>.

This allows to obtain a tail end cut to size, which is useful and necessary in certain operating methods according to the present invention.

During the step of butting the head end (<FIG>) the first drawing unit <NUM> and the second drawing unit <NUM> are pressed, one toward the other and the cutting of the head end of the following metal product P is performed with the upper cutting edge 53b and lower cutting edge 53d of the secondary cutting unit <NUM>.

By using one or the other cutting mean it is possible to obtain metal products P of the desired length and to make the head and/or tail surface usable, on each occasion, to cooperate with another possible and following or preceding metal product P.

In particular, the thrust exerted by the head end of the following metal product P allows the correct positioning of the preceding metal product P to complete the working.

When the last bend on a metal product P has to be performed, a following metal product P is used to axially position the preceding metal product P in correspondence with the bending device <NUM> and the guiding and holding means <NUM> are driven to function at least temporarily also as a contrast element during bending.

According to one aspect of the present invention, shown by way of example in <FIG>, to retract the at least one metal product P, which has at least one bend in a position of interference with the guiding and holding means <NUM> and/or with the bending device <NUM>, the guiding and holding means <NUM> and the bending device <NUM> are lowered, allowing to retract the metal product P until it is in the proximity of the main cutting unit <NUM>.

Furthermore, to make a shaped product with the metal product P which has the terminal segment of the last bend comprised between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, the metal product P is retracted, after the guiding and holding means <NUM> and the bending device <NUM> have been removed from the work plane, before the main cutting unit <NUM> intervenes to separate the shaped product, just made, from the metal product P.

<FIG> shows a working step similar to that described above with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the thrust step exerted by the head end H of the following metal product P to allow the completion of the working of the preceding metal product P, once the latter has exited with its tail end E from the return segments <NUM> of the drawing apparatus <NUM>.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the machine <NUM> to work metal products P as described heretofore, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

For example, the drawing apparatus <NUM> can be configured to draw a plurality of metal products P side by side in the direction of feed Z.

According to a first variant embodiment, the drawing apparatus <NUM> can comprise a plurality of first drawing units <NUM> cooperating with corresponding second drawing units <NUM>, as defined above. The first drawing units <NUM> can be put side by side in a direction orthogonal to the direction of feed Z. In the same way the second drawing units <NUM> can be put side by side in a direction orthogonal to the direction of feed Z. In this case each pair of chains of a first drawing unit and a corresponding second drawing unit can define respective drawing channels <NUM> for the transit of a respective metal product P.

According to a second variant embodiment, the drawing apparatus <NUM> can comprise a single first drawing unit <NUM> and a corresponding second drawing unit <NUM>, and the anchoring inserts <NUM> associated with the chains <NUM> of the first <NUM> and second <NUM> drawing units are provided with a plurality of gripping grooves <NUM> disposed side by side and in each of which a metal product P can be housed.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of machine <NUM> to work metal products, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the scope of protection defined thereby.

Claim 1:
Machine to work oblong metal products, comprising a drawing apparatus (<NUM>) configured to feed at least one of said metal products (P) in a direction of feed (Z) and a work apparatus (<NUM>), provided with a work plane (41a), in which a bending device (<NUM>) is present provided with a contrast element (<NUM>), and a bending element (<NUM>), positioned downstream of said drawing apparatus (<NUM>), aligned in said direction of feed (Z), said drawing apparatus (<NUM>) comprising a first drawing unit (<NUM>) and a second drawing unit (<NUM>) opposite each other with respect to said direction of feed (Z) and at least one drive member (<NUM>) to move said drawing apparatus (<NUM>) and in which said first drawing unit (<NUM>) and said second drawing unit (<NUM>) define between them, in said direction of feed (Z), a drawing channel (<NUM>) for the at least one metal product (P), characterized in that, at exit from said drawing channel (<NUM>) it includes guide means (<NUM>), advantageously adjustable on the plane substantially orthogonal to a lying plane of said drawing channel (<NUM>), followed by a main cutting unit (<NUM>) and said bending device (<NUM>) and in that at exit from said main cutting unit (<NUM>) there are guiding and holding means (<NUM>) consisting of branches (<NUM>, <NUM>), said guiding and holding means (<NUM>), lying on the same plane, being autonomous and advantageously adjustable, directly cooperating with said bending device (<NUM>), having profiles with an extension which reaches the proximity of the center of said contrast element (<NUM>) of said bending device (<NUM>), said contrast element (<NUM>) having a cylindrical portion with an axis of rotation and a flat portion close to said axis of rotation, said flat portion facing the guiding and holding means (<NUM>).