Front gauge for a sheet bending brake
OwnerO. Lynn Barnettinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method, a front gauge and a sheet bending brake with a front gauge providing a scale for gauging a workpiece of sheet material, and optionally also for supporting the workpiece and/or squaring or angling the workpiece relative to a bending anvil of the brake. Mounting, either front mounting on a bending member or under-mounting below the brake, connects the scale to the brake, preferably removably and repositionably, such that the scale extends in front of the brake and under the workpiece, thereby enabling simple and efficient one-operator use without interfering with brake operation. The mounting also provides means for removably and repositionably attaching accessories such as a workpiece support and a workpiece rack.
Claims46
A front gauge for a sheet bending brake, wherein the brake comprises a first longitudinally extending member forming a clamping surface, a second longitudinally extending member positioned over the first member and movable toward and away from the first member for clamping a sheet mater workpiece against the clamping surface and having a longitudinal front edge forming a bending anvil, and a third longitudinally extending member pivotally mounted to the first member for bending over the bending anvil a workpiece that is clamped between the first and second members;
- wherein the brake is operable in any orientation and, regardless of orientation, “over” is defined to mean on the second member's side of the workpiece, “under” is defined to mean on the first member's side of the workpiece, and “front” is defined to mean a lateral outside or outward facing side of the brake, which is also the side from which the workpiece is inserted past the bending anvil into the brake;
- the front gauge comprising:
- a scale for gauging that extends outward from the front of the sheet bending brake;
- and
- mounting that connects the scale to the brake such that the scale is positioned under the workpiece.
A method for gauging a workpiece of sheet material in a sheet bending brake, wherein the brake comprises a first longitudinally extending member forming a clamping surface, a second longitudinally extending member positioned over the first member and movable toward and away from the first member for clamping the workpiece against the clamping surface and having a longitudinal front edge forming a bending anvil, and a third longitudinally extending member pivotally mounted to the first member for bending over the bending anvil a workpiece that is clamped between the first and second members;
- wherein the brake is operable in any orientation and, regardless of orientation, “over” is defined to mean on the second member's side of the workpiece, “under” is defined to mean on the first member's side of the workpiece, and “front” is defined to mean a lateral outside or outward facing side of the brake, which is also the side from which the workpiece is inserted past the bending anvil into the brake;
- the method comprising the step of:
- mounting a scale for gauging in front of the brake such that a supporting surface of the scale is in the same plane as the clamping surface of the first member;
- and further comprising the step of:
- attaching the scale such that it is removable and longitudinally slidable.
A sheet bending brake with a gauge for gauging a sheet material workpiece in the brake, wherein the brake comprises a first longitudinally extending member forming a clamping surface, a second longitudinally extending member positioned over the first member and movable toward and away from the first member for clamping a sheet material workpiece against the clamping surface and having a longitudinal front edge forming a bending anvil, and a third longitudinally extending member pivotally mounted to the first member for bending over the bending anvil a workpiece that is clamped between the first and second members;
- wherein the brake is operable in any orientation and, regardless of orientation, “over” is defined to mean on the second member's side of the workpiece, “under” is defined to mean on the first member's side of the workpiece, and “front” is defined to mean a lateral outside or outward facing side of the brake, which is also the side from which the workpiece is inserted past the bending anvil into the brake;
- the brake further comprising:
- at least one scale for gauging that extends outward from the front of the sheet bending brake;
- and
- mounting that connects the at least one scale to the brake such that the at least one scale is positioned under the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.