Cut-off mechanism for elongate stock

2- A cut-off mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

• said second jaw is rotationally fixed;
• said first jaw defines first and second ends and an intermediate section therebetween;
• said single hook-shaped leading edge of said first cutting surface disposed adjacent said first end;
• and
• said powered actuator is connected to said first jaw adjacent said second end and rotating said first jaw about said intermediate section.

6- In a metal forming machine of the type fabricating elongate stock, the improvement of a cut-off mechanism therefor, comprising:

• a first jaw having a first cutting surface extending between a sharpened leading edge and a trailing edge, said first jaw defining a first end;
• a first single cutting edge having a hook-shaped side elevational configuration extending arcuately between an outer tip portion and an inner base portion thereof, said single first cutting edge disposed adjacent said first end of said first jaw;
• a second jaw having a second cutting surface disposed adjacent a first end of said second jaw and extending between a single sharpened leading edge and a trailing edge;
• said second jaw being pivotally connected with said first jaw in a side-by-side relationship at a location spaced apart from said first end, and having said leading edges of said first and second cutting surfaces in close planar alignment to shear cut stock positioned therebetween;
• a motor operably connected with at least one of said first and second jaws at a far side of said pivotal connection from said first ends, and mutually rotating the same such that when said first and second jaws are converged, stock positioned between said first and second cutting surfaces adjacent the outer tip portion of said first cutting edge is incrementally shear cut through its entire thickness to cleanly sever the same to length.

10- A cut-off mechanism for elongate stock, comprising:

• a first jaw having a sharpened cutting edge;
• a second jaw having a sharpened cutting edge;
• a connector assembly interconnecting said first and second jaws, said connector assembly including a pivot that permits rotation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw, and a guide that provides controlled translation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw along said guide between an extended cutting position, and retracted position that provides clearance during forming operations;
• a first powered actuator connected to a selected one of said first and second jaws and providing powered rotation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw about said pivot;
• and
• a second powered actuator connected to a selected one of said first and second jaws and shifting said selected jaw between said extended and retracted positions along said guide.

11- A wire forming machine, comprising:

• a base;
• at least two feed rollers rotatably mounted to said base for powered feed of elongated stock to a forming mechanism;
• first and second jaws positioned adjacent a forming mechanism, each jaw having a sharpened cutting edge;
• a connector assembly movably interconnecting said first and second jaws, said connector assembly including a pivot that permits rotation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw, and a guide that provides controlled translation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw along said guide between an extended cutting position, and retracted position that provides clearance during forming operations;
• a first powered actuator connected to a selected one of said first and second jaws and providing powered rotation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw about said pivot;
• and
• a second powered actuator connected to selected one of said first and second jaws and shifting said selected jaw between said extended and retracted positions along said guide.

12- A cut-off mechanism for severing elongate stock, comprising:

• a first jaw having a first surface extending from a sharpened first cutting edge, said first jaw defining first and second ends and an intermediate section therebetween;
• a rotationally fixed second jaw having a second surface extending from a sharpened second cutting edge;
• a connector assembly pivotally interconnecting said first and second jaws in a side-by-side relationship at a location spaced apart from said first and second cutting edges, and positioning said cutting edges to shear cut elongate stock positioned therebetween, wherein said first jaw rotates with respect to said second jaw about said connector assembly, and said connector assembly includes a guide block and a U-shaped block translationally received therein, with a pin extending laterally through said U-shaped block and pivotally connecting said first jaw thereto, such that said first jaw is translationally guided within said guide block by said U-shaped block;
• a hydraulic cylinder operably connected with at least one of said first and second jaws and mutually rotating the same, said hydraulic cylinder connected to said first jaw and rotating said first jaw about said intermediate section;
• said sharpened first cutting edge having a hook-shaped side elevational configuration extending arcuately between an outer tip portion thereof and an inner base portion thereof, said hook-shaped first cutting edge disposed adjacent said first end whereby when said first and second jaws are pivotally converged by said powered actuator, elongate stock positioned between said first and second cutting edges adjacent the outer tip portion of said first cutting edge is incrementally shear cut through its entire thickness to cleanly sever the same to length.

14- A cut-off mechanism for elongate stock, comprising:

• a first jaw having a first surface extending from a sharpened first cutting edge;
• a second jaw having a second surface extending from a sharpened second cutting edge;
• a powered actuator;
• a connector translationally and pivotally interconnecting said first and second jaws in a side-by-side relationship at a location spaced apart from said first and second surfaces, said powered actuator operably connected to said first jaw and translating said first jaw relative to said second jaw between retracted and extended positions, said first jaw pivoting relative to said second jaw between a closed position and an open position providing sufficient clearance between said first and second jaws to permit translation of said first jaw to said extended position when stock is positioned proximate said second jaw, said connector providing translation of said first jaw when in said open position, said connector positioning said first and second cutting edges when said first jaw is in said extended position to shear cut stock positioned therebetween;
• and wherein
• said first cutting edge has a hook-shaped side elevational configuration extending arcuately between an outer tip portion thereof and an inner base portion thereof, whereby when said first and second jaws are converged, stock positioned between said first and second cutting edges adjacent the outer tip portion of said first cutting edge is incrementally shear cut through its entire thickness to cleanly sever the same to length with minimal jolt.

16- A cut-off mechanism for elongate stock, comprising:

• a first jaw having a sharpened cutting edge;
• a second jaw having a sharpened cutting edge;
• at least one of said sharpened cutting edges having a curved side elevational configuration;
• a connector assembly interconnecting said first and second jaws, said connector assembly including a pivot that permits rotation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw, and a guide that provides controlled translation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw along said guide between an extended cutting position, and retracted position that provides clearance during forming operations;
• a first powered actuator connected to a selected one of said first and second jaws and providing powered rotation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw about said pivot;
• and
• a second powered actuator connected to a selected one of said first and second jaws and shifting said selected jaw between said extended and retracted positions along said guide.

17- A wire forming machine, comprising:

• a base;
• at least two feed rollers rotatably mounted to said base for powered feeding of elongated stock to a forming mechanism;
• first and second jaws positioned adjacent a forming mechanism, each jaw having a sharpened cutting edge, at least one of said sharpened cutting edges having a curved side elevational configuration;
• a connector assembly movably interconnecting said first and second jaws, said connector assembly including a pivot that permits rotation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw, and a guide that provides controlled translation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw along said guide between an extended cutting position, and a retracted position that provides clearance during forming operations;
• a first powered actuator connected to a selected one of said first and second jaws and providing powered rotation of said first jaw relative to said second jaw about said pivot;
• and
• a second powered actuator connected to selected one of said first and second jaws and shifting said selected jaw between said extended and retracted positions along said guide.