# US 2022/0274149 A1 · Sheet metal brake with loading rollers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0274149 A1 - Document ID: US20220274149A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/637,448 - Filed: 2019-08-19 - Published: 2022-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 2019-08-19 - Inventors: NELSON HERSHBERGER - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220274149A1 ## CPC - B21D 5/042: {With a rotational movement of the bending blade} - B21D 43/08: by rollers {(B21D43/145 takes precedence)} - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) ## Abstract The sheet metal brake with side loading rollers (10) includes a plurality of stations (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16), each having a lower beam (20) and an upper beam (22). Each of the lower and upper beams (20, 22) has a workpiece clamping element (24, 26) extending therefrom. Each station (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) includes at least one bending tool carrier (42, 44) having a bending tool (46, 48). The at least one tool carrier (42, 44) is movable relative to a corresponding one of the lower and upper beams (20, 22). A plurality of supports (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) selectively carry a workpiece (18) between selected ones of the plurality of stations (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16). Each support (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) is selectively vertically adjustable, and may be a set of driven rollers or the like. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sheet metal brake, comprising: a chassis; and a plurality of stations mounted on the chassis, each of the stations having: an upper beam and a lower beam pivotally mounted on the chassis, each of the beams having a workpiece clamping element extending therefrom adapted for clamping a flat elongated sheet metal workpiece therebetween so that at least an edge of the workpiece extends beyond the clamping elements in cantilever fashion; and at least one bending tool carrier having a bending tool extending therefrom, the at least one tool carrier being movable relative to a corresponding one of the upper and lower beams, the at least one bending tool being pivotal to exert pressure for bending the workpiece against the workpiece clamping elements to form an elongated bend in the workpiece; and a plurality of supports mounted on the chassis for selectively supporting and carrying the workpiece between the stations. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 1, wherein each said support is selectively vertically adjustable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 1, wherein each said station has a corresponding said support adjacent thereto for carrying the workpiece between the stations and lowering the workpiece to a bending position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 1, further comprising a conveyer mounted on the chassis for feeding the workpiece to a first one of the supports. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 1, wherein each said station further comprises a bending tool actuator connected to the at least one bending tool carrier to effect movement of the at least one bending tool carrier to bring the bending tool into contact with the workpiece for bending the workpiece. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one bending tool carrier comprises: an upper bending tool carrier having an upper bending tool extending therefrom; and a lower bending tool carrier having a lower bending tool extending therefrom. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 1, wherein each said station further comprises a hinge assembly connected between the at least one bending tool carrier and a corresponding one of the upper and lower beams. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 1, wherein each said station further comprises at least one gripping member for selectively grasping the workpiece. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one gripping member is selectively horizontally movable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of supports comprises a plurality of sets of driven rollers. ### Claim 11 A sheet metal brake, comprising: a chassis; a plurality of stations mounted on the chassis, each of the stations including: an upper beam and a lower beam, each of the beams being pivotally mounted on the chassis, each of the upper and lower beams having a workpiece clamping element extending therefrom adapted for clamping a flat elongated sheet metal workpiece therebetween with at least an edge of the workpiece extending beyond the clamping elements in cantilever fashion; and at least one bending tool carrier having a bending tool extending therefrom, the at least one tool carrier being movable relative to a corresponding one of the upper\ and lower beams, the at least one bending tool being pivotal to exert pressure for bending the workpiece against the workpiece clamping elements to form an elongated bend in the workpiece; and a plurality of supports mounted on the chassis for selectively supporting and carrying the workpiece between selected ones of the plurality of stations, each of the supports being selectively vertically adjustable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 11, wherein each said station has a corresponding one of the supports adjacent thereto for carrying the workpiece between the stations and lowering the workpiece to a bending position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 11, further comprising a conveyer mounted on the chassis, the conveyor feeding the workpiece to a first one of the supports. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 11, wherein each said station further comprises a bending tool actuator connected to the at least one bending tool carrier to effect movement of the at least one bending tool carrier to bring the bending tool into contact with the workpiece for bending the workpiece. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one bending tool carrier comprises: an upper bending tool carrier having an upper bending tool extending therefrom; and a lower bending tool carrier having a lower bending tool extending therefrom. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 11, wherein each said station further comprises a hinge assembly connected between the at least one bending tool carrier and a corresponding one of the upper and lower beams. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 11, wherein each said station further comprises at least one gripping member for selectively grasping the workpiece. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one gripping member is selectively horizontally movable. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of supports includes a set of driven rollers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The sheet metal brake as recited in claim 11, wherein said supports are selected from the group consisting of a set of driven rollers, a table, and a conveyor.