US 5,207,084 A · Severing continuous-length wire

Abstract

Continuous length wire is segmented into predetermined lengths having desired die-coined configurations at severed longitudinal ends in a wire-working machine of the invention. In a single step operation, such wire is simultaneously die-coined and severed to form a longitudinally contiguous pair of wire ends in order to produce such predetermined lengths with desired tapered convex shapes at each longitudinal end ready for use as shaped and severed so as to eliminate subsequent metal-forming steps and certain problems associated with severing practices of the prior art. In a specific embodiment of the fabrication process, coiled wire is straightened and then simultaneously die-coined and severed to form rigid rods with tapered end configurations which facilitate use as a connecting rod during assembly operations, e.g. in the assembly of a metal wire belt. The application also discloses specific embodiments of dies for such process, methods of producing such dies, and die-drive apparatus for moving such dies together for such single step operation and then apart for a subsequent operation.

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Claims8

Dependent claims

Method for severing continuous-length metal wire into segments of predetermined length while die-coining a pair of longitudinally-convex tapered configuration ends contiguous to the location at which severing occurs, comprising

supplying metal wire in continuous-length form, such wire having a leading longitudinal end and a central longitudinal axis;
delivering such wire to move substantially in the direction of its central longitudinal axis;
measuring a predetermined length from the leading longitudinal end of such continuous-length wire for segmenting by simultaneously severing and die-coining metal at such measured length;
providing a pair of elongated tooling dies having a longitudinally extending central axis and peripheral outer surface with a working end located at one longitudinal end of each respective elongated tooling die,
each working end presenting four severing edges which are coplanar at the distal edge of the working end and separated by die-coining regions in the tooling which recess from such distal edges in the longitudinal direction of the elongated die with each severing edge being offset with respect to each other and the location of such central axis in such distal edge,
positioning the pair of tooling dies with the working end for one tooling die of such pair being oriented in confronting relationship to the working end of the remaining tooling die of such pair with severing edges of one die juxtaposed oppositely to corresponding severing edges of the remaining die in mirror-image confronting orientation for coaction of such working ends during relative movement of such dies toward each other from opposite lateral sides of the metal wire;
orienting the metal wire to move between the confronting working ends of the pair of tooling dies so as to enable severing a metal wire segment with such severing occurring at the location of such measured predetermined length, and
moving the confronting working ends of the pair of tooling dies toward each other from opposite lateral sides of the metal wire,
such movement of the confronting working ends toward each other being in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the metal wire with severing edges simultaneously severing such wire as metal is coined in such intermediate die-coining regions,
such movement of the confronting working ends toward each other forming a pair of longitudinally contiguous die coined ends each having a substantially-identical longitudinally-convex four-sided tapered configuration on longitudinally opposite sides of the location at which such segment is severed, with
one of the pair of die-coined ends being on the trailing longitudinal end of the severed segment produced, and
the remaining die-coined end of such pair being on the leading longitudinal end of the metal wire for the next segment to be severed.

9 more elements

Production-line system for severing continuous-length metal wire into segments of predetermined length having desired die-coined longitudinal end configurations, one each on longitudinally opposite sides of and contiguous to the location at which severing of the metal wire occurs, comprising

means supplying continuous-length metal wire;
wire drive means for moving such wire in the direction of its central longitudinal axis into at least partially through such system;
measuring means for measuring to preselected dimension from a leading longitudinal end of such metal wire to predetermine the length of the wire segments to be severed;
a pair of elongated tooling dies each with die-coining surface and severing-edge means at a single longitudinal end thereof presenting a working end,
each such working end presenting four coplanar severing edges at its distal edge with intermediate longitudinally-recessed die-coining regions with each severing edge being offset with respect to each other and the location of such central axis in such distal edge,
the pair of tooling dies being mounted with working ends in confronting relationship for coacting movement toward each other to simultaneously die-coin and sever such metal wire to form a longitudinally-contiguous pair of longitudinally-convex four-sided, tapered, die-coined ends of substantially-identical configuration, with
one each of such working ends being on longitudinally opposite sides of the location at which the metal wire is to be severed;
tooling-die operating means for carrying out such simultaneous die-coining and severing operation,
the tooling die operating means including:
tooling die positioning means for positioning and holding the pair of tooling dies with respective working ends in mirror-image, confronting orientation, and
wire positioning means for guiding travel of the metal wire in the direction of its central longitudinal axis such that movement of the confronting working ends of the tooling dies toward each other into contact with the meal wire causes simultaneous die-coining and severing a predetermined-length segment.

8 more elements

A method for severing continuous-length metal wire into segments of predetermined length while die-coining a pair of longitudinally-convex tapered configuration ends contiguous to the location at which severing occurs with one each of such pair of die-coined ends being on longitudinally opposite sides of such location, comprising

supplying metal wire in continuous-length form,
such wire having a leading longitudinal end and a central longitudinal axis;
providing a pair of elongated tooling dies each presenting die-coining and severing means at its working end located at one longitudinal end of each respective elongated tooling die;
the severing means on each die consisting of four cutting edges, all of such plurality of cutting edges of each die being coplanar at the distal working end of each such die with each cutting edge being offset with respect to each other and the location of such central axis in such distal end;
positioning the pair of tooling dies with the working end for one tooling die of such pair being oriented in confronting relationship to the working end of the remaining tooling die of such pair for coaction of such working ends during relative movement of such dies toward each other from opposite lateral sides of the metal wire;
orienting the metal wire to move in the direction of its central longitudinal axis between the confronting working ends of the pair of tooling dies so as to enable severing a metal wire segment with such severing taking place such that the distal end of the longitudinally-convex tapered configuration occurs at the location of such measured predetermined length, and
moving the confronting working ends of the pair of tooling dies toward each other from opposite lateral sides of the metal wire,
such movement of the confronting working ends toward each other being in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the metal wire so as to simultaneously die-coin and sever such wire causing die-coined pieces of predetermined shape to be severed from sides of such wire extending from such central longitudinal axis in a direction to form a substantially identical convex tapered shape on each longitudinal side of the severing location.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description4,192 words

Summary228 words

#This invention relates to segmenting continuous length wire into predetermined lengths having desired die-coined configurations at severed longitudinal ends. More particularly, the invention is concerned with single step simultaneous die-coining and severing continuous length wire to form a longitudinally contiguous pair of wire ends in order to produce such predetermined lengths with desired tapered convex shapes at each longitudinal end ready for use as shaped and severed so as to eliminate subsequent metal-forming steps and certain problems associated with severing practices of the prior art.

#In a specific embodiment of the invention, coiled wire is straightened and then simultaneously die-coined and severed to form rigid rods of predetermined length with tapered end configurations which facilitates usage as a connecting rod during assembly operations, e.g. in the assembly of a metal wire belt.

#Severing of such wire belt connector rods has previously been limited to a guillotine type cutting action. The resulting flat-faced end, often with burrs, presented difficulties during assembly of metal wire belts; and limited to manual assembly.

Brief description of the drawings14 figures

#FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic views, partly in cross section, of prior art rod shearing apparatus as used in wire-working-machinery;

#FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic presentation for describing a specific embodiment of a continuous-line process of the invention for fabricating straight metal rods with longitudinal ends ready for use as delivered from such line;

#FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a pair of coining and severing dies of the invention in retracted position after simultaneously die-coining and severing a wire to form tapered ends in longitudinally contiguous relationship;

Detailed description3,602 words

#The prior art guillotine-type rod shearing apparatus 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 utilizes a feed guide member 22 defining a circular aperture through which continuous wire 24 moves and is positioned for shearing. Guillotine blade 26 moves vertically downwardly, as indicated in FIG. 2, through the wire shearing to produce rods with flat-faced longitudinal ends.

#Typically, blade 26 cuts through about 80 to 95% of the diameter of wire 24 when the remaining portion fractures; such fracture often results in a burr which protrudes from the wire beyond its circumferential periphery, for example at or near location 28.

#Such prior art flat-faced rod ends are difficult to use in any assembly requiring passage of such rods longitudinally through more than one opening; for example, when used as connector rods in assembly of metal wirebelts.

Severing continuous-length wire

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Severing continuous-length wire

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

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Claims8

Description4,192 words

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Classification5 codes

Life of this patent

Description4,192 words