Patent ID: 7150175

Claim:
A clamping assembly for a bend arm of a tube bending machine, the clamping assembly comprising: a bend arm slider having a first end and a second end, the slider first end configured to receive a clamp die, the slider coupled to a guide member configured to move along an arcuate surface of a camming member coupled to the bend arm; a first lever having a first end and a second end, the first lever having a pivot axis and coupled to a first pivot member, the first pivot member coupled to the bend arm, and the first lever first end coupled to the slider second end and configured to drive the slider along the arcuate surface; a toggle link having a first end and a second end, the toggle link first end coupled to the first lever second end, the toggle link configured to rotate the first lever about the first lever pivot axis; a drive link having a first end and a second end, the drive link first end coupled to the toggle link second end, the drive link configured to drive the toggle link; a second pivot member coupled to the drive link such that the drive link pivots about a second pivot member axis; a bearing member coupled to the bend arm and having a bearing axis, the bearing member coupled to the second pivot member at a location offset from the bearing member axis; an actuator coupled to the drive link second end and configured to rotate the drive link about the second pivot member axis such that a force is communicated from the actuator through the drive link, the toggle link, and the first lever to thereby cause the slider to retract or extend along the arcuate surface in response to the force; a second lever having a first end and a second end, the second lever first end pivotally coupled to the bearing member and fixedly attached to the second pivot member; and wherein the actuator is coupled to the second lever second end and configured to actuate the second lever so as to rotate the bearing member about the bearing axis thereby communicating a force via the drive link, the toggle link, and the first lever to the slider, resulting in the transmission of a controlled, variable force from the actuator to the clamp die.