US 2013/0074569 A1Published application

Shrinker stretcher machine

OwnerChristopher J. Ruschinventor

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Abstract

The present invention is a shrinker stretcher machine that uses four distinct and separate tool cartridges to perform both shrinking and stretching operations by simply removing, rotating each tool cartridge 180 degrees, and reattaching it in its designated position. Each tool cartridge removably carries a jaw that can be removed and securely replaced with either a shrinker or stretcher jaw to accommodate the operation being performed. Each tool cartridges and jaw is firmly held in place by magnets and interlocking keyed surfaces to properly align and hold the tool cartridges and jaws.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A power shrinker stretcher apparatus for shaping a workpiece such as sheet metal, said power shrinker stretcher apparatus comprising:

a fixed anvil secured to a support structure, said fixed anvil and support structure being adapted to receive the workpiece;
a drive ram cyclically movable along a path of travel toward and away from said fixed anvil between extended and retracted positions, said fixed anvil and path of travel of said ram being located on a centerline;
a drive assembly that cylindrically drives said ram between said extended and retracted positions during a cyclical power stroke of said drive ram, said power stroke having a workpiece gripping phase and a workpiece working phase;
a set of tool cartridges, each said tool cartridge having a jaw with a gripping surface, and a cam and resilient member that bias the cartridge into a home position, each said tool cartridge being forcibly compressible via said drive ram into a compressed position with its said cam rotating into compressed engagement with its said resilient member, and said cartridges and jaws moving laterally relative to said centerline during said working phase;
each said tool cartridge being removably secured to one of either said drive ram and fixed anvil, said drive ram holding two spaced tool cartridges and said fixed anvil holding two spaced tool cartridges, each said tool cartridge and jaw on said drive ram being in spaced registry with one said tool cartridge and jaw on said fixed anvil to form first and second matched sets of tool cartridges and jaws, each of said tool cartridges being structured to operably secure to its said one of either said drive ram and fixed anvil when in a shrinking orientation and when in a stretching orientation;
each of said tool cartridges being rotated 180° to change from its said shrinking orientation to its said stretching orientation;
and,
wherein said matched sets of tool cartridges and jaws move laterally toward said centerline to shrink the workpiece when in said shrinking orientation, and move laterally away from said centerline to stretch the workpiece when in said stretching orientation.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A power shrinker stretcher apparatus for shaping a workpiece such as sheet metal, said power shrinker stretcher apparatus comprising:

a fixed anvil secured to a support structure, said fixed anvil and support structure being adapted to receive the workpiece;
a drive ram cyclically movable along a path of travel toward and away from said fixed anvil between extended and retracted positions, said fixed anvil and path of travel of said ram being located on a centerline;
a drive assembly that cylindrically drives said ram between said extended and retracted positions during a cyclical power stroke of said drive ram, said power stroke having a workpiece gripping phase and a workpiece working phase;
a set of tool cartridges, each said tool cartridge having a jaw with a gripping surface, and a cam and resilient member that bias the cartridge into a home position, each said tool cartridge being forcibly compressible via said drive ram into a compressed position with its said cam rotating into compressed engagement with its said resilient member, and said cartridges and jaws moving laterally relative to said centerline during said working phase;
each said tool cartridge being removably secured to one of either said drive ram and fixed anvil, said drive ram holding two spaced tool cartridges and said fixed anvil holding two spaced tool cartridges, each said tool cartridge and jaw on said drive ram being in spaced registry with one said tool cartridge and jaw on said fixed anvil to form first and second matched sets of tool cartridges and jaws, each of said tool cartridges being structured to operably secure to its said one of either said drive ram and fixed anvil when in a shrinking orientation and when in a stretching orientation;
each of said tool cartridges being rotated 180° to change from its said shrinking orientation to its said stretching orientation;
and,
wherein said matched sets of tool cartridges and jaws move laterally toward said centerline to shrink the workpiece when in said shrinking orientation, and move laterally away from said centerline to stretch the workpiece when in said stretching orientation.

5 more elements