US 4,391,115 AGranted

Method and apparatus for bending metal beams

AssigneeCaledonian Mining Co. Ltd.

InventorsWilliam Slattery, Thomas Brechany, Colin J. MacLeod

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Abstract

The invention relates to arches for use in tunnels such as underground mine tunnels. These arches are composed of a bent metal beam often of "H" or "T"-section. Problems have previously arisen in accurately bending the beams to the required shape. The apparatus of the invention includes a D-shaped former which is rotatable relative to a roller. The beam is clamped to one end of the former and on rotation of the former relative to the roller, the beam is bent around the former so that it assumes the required shape, the ends of the beam being clamped to the former. A cutting device may be employed to cut the beam, while bent around the former, into three or more sections.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A machine for forming a curved beam, said machine comprising

a former having a convex arcuate edge bounded by opposed ends,
a first clamp positioned to cooperate with one of said ends of said arcuate edge, said first clamp being adapted to hold one end of a beam in fixed position relative to said arcuate edge prior to and during the bending of that beam about said arcuate edge,
a roller positioned adjacent to said arcuate edge but spaced therefrom a distance not significantly greater than the width of said beam, said roller being moveable relative to said former for bending said beam about said arcuate edge between a beam entry position at which said beam is initially clamped to said arcuate edge between said roller and said arcuate edge, and a curved beam position at which said beam is bent about said arcuate edge,
motor means for moving said former relative to said roller for translating said beam between said entry and curved positions, and
a second clamp positioned to cooperate with the opposite end of said arcuate edge, said second clamp being adapted to hold the other end of said beam in fixed position adjacent said opposite end of said arcuate edge after said beam has been bent about said arcuate edge, said second clamp being operatively connectable with the other end of said beam only after said beam has been bent about said arcuate edge.

2 more elements

A machine for forming and cutting a beam, said beam having at least one pre-formed hole therein at a location in said beam adjacent to where said beam is to be cut, said machine comprising

a former having a convex arcuate edge,
a roller positioned adjacent to said arcuate edge but spaced therefrom a distance not significantly greater than the width of said beam, said roller being moveable relative to said former for bending said beam about said arcuate edge into a curved beam configuration at which said beam is bent about said arcuate edge,
motor means for moving said former relative to said roller for translating said beam between beam entry and curved beam positions,
a first clamp and a second clamp positioned to cooperate with said arcuate edge, said first and second clamps being adapted to hold said beam in fixed position relative to said arcuate edge after said beam has been bent about said arcuate edge,
at least one cutting device positioned adjacent said arcuate edge of said former when said former is in the curved beam position, said cutting device being adapted to cut a bent beam into two or more arcuate sections when said former is in the curved beam position and when said beam is bent around said arcuate edge, and
at least one pin adapted to engage said beam's pre-formed hole, said pin being operative to maintain a desired alignment between said bent beam and said cutting device as said cutting device cuts said bent beam into arcuate sections.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.