Actuating device for upper sheet-pressing tools of an industrial machine for the bending of metal elements

A contractible element for bending means of an industrial machine for bending flat metal elements, said contractible element comprising:

• a lower component;
• an upper component;
• the lower component configured to contact a flat metal element to be bent;
• the lower component and the upper component configured to move relative to each other from a first position to a second position,
• an actuating device configured to actuate a contractible element of a bending means of an industrial machine for bending metal elements provided with a lower component and an upper component apt to move relative to each other from a first position to a second position, the actuation device comprising:
• a rack and pinion gear unit;
• a connecting plate configured to be connected to the lower component of said contractible element;
• said rack and pinion gear unit comprising a pinion having an axis, at least a first rack and a second rack, said first rack and said second rack are actuated simultaneously by said pinion so as to pass from a first position to a second position;
• said first rack being configured to be fixed to the upper component of said contractible element;
• the second rack being configured to be coupled to the connecting plate;
• said pinion being operable in a first direction of rotation to move the first rack along a first trajectory of translation, transverse to said axis and to move said second rack along a second trajectory of translation,
• transverse to said axis, such that said first rack and said second rack advance in opposite directions towards the first position of each of said first rack and said second rack;
• said pinion being operable in a second direction of rotation, contrary to said first direction of rotation, to move said racks in opposite directions towards the second position of each of said first rack and said second rack,
• wherein said first rack is configured to be fixed to the upper component of said contractible element;
• wherein the second rack is configured to be coupled to the connecting plate;
• wherein said pinion is operable in a first direction of rotation to move the first rack along a first trajectory of translation, transverse to said axis and to move said second rack along a second trajectory of translation, transverse to said axis, such that said first rack and said second rack advance in opposite directions towards the first position of each of said first rack and said second rack;
• and
• wherein said pinion being operable in a second direction of rotation, contrary to said first direction of rotation, to move said racks in opposite directions towards the second position of each of said first rack and said second rack;
• and
• wherein when said actuating device is operated, said lower component and said upper component pass from the first position to the second position and vice versa.