Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The present invention relates to a device for the shaping
of one end of a steel billet heated to a forging temperature
to form an extension suitable as a tong hold or the like.
The purpose of the tong hold is to provide than an
operator can hold the workpiece with a pair of tongs at a
part of the workpiece so as not to interfere with the
forging operation itself. In other words, the operator
is then able to maneuver the billet on a set of dyes in
the forging process using a preferably minimum amount of
steel for the purpose of holding on to the billet. The tong
hold is eventually removed from the workpiece by trimming or
the like. It is known to provide the steel billet
approximately one inch longer to use the extended portion
as a tong hold or to weld a stud at one end of the workpiece
as a tong hold.
Both of the known methods are wasteful in that either
a relatively large volume of steel is re~uired in the first
instance or, in the second example, the operation is time
consuming.
It is an object of the present invention to avoid the
above deficiencies of the prior art.
In general terms, and in one aspect thereof, the present
invention provides a multiple action press tool for the
shaping of one end of a steel billet heated to forging
temperature, to form an extension at said one end integral
with the rest of said billet and suitable as a tong hold
or the like, said tool comprising a first part and a second
part, said parts being adapted to become secured to one of
a ram section and a table section, respectively, of a press,
said first part comprising (a) workpiece support means having
a longitudinal axis and adapted for holding a respective
billet in a position wherein longitudinal axis of the billet
is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the support means
and extending generally perpendicularly to the direction of
movement of the respective ram relative to the respective
tab~e; (b) cutter blade means reciprocable perpendicularly
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to the longitudinal axis of the support means and adapted to
produce cuts at mutually opposite sides of the billet near
one end thereof; (c) said second part comprising wedge means
provided with a slot dividing the wedge means into two
generally identical halves, each of said halves being
adapted to enter one of said cuts and to penetrate same when
a respective press is operated, to thus stretch a section
of the billet between the respective cut and said one end.
In another aspect of the present invention, and still
defining same in general terms, the invention provides,
in a press including a stationary base and a ram moveable
along a line generally perpendicular to the base: (a) a
wedge-shaped member fixedly secured to the ram and including
(i) a first generally planar wedging surface generally
parallel with the direction of movement of the ram, and a
second generally planar wedging surface convergent with the
former and defining with same a transverse, normally generally
horizontal lower edge; (ii) a cutout defining a channel
disposed centrally of said wedging surfaces, said channel
having two generally planar, parallel side walls and a
downwardly facing bottom wall disposed at a point remote from
the lower edge and extending in a generally horizontal
direction from the first wedging surface to the second wedging
surface, each said side wall being coincident with a plane
generally perpendicular to both said wedging surfaces; (b) a
support member secured to the base and including a workpiece
holder, an anvil member and a pair of cutters, in which (i)
sa~d workpiece holder degines a longitudinal recess
complementary with a workpiece; (ii) resilient means are
operatively associated with said holder to maintain same
at a position above the base but to render same resiliently
displaceable a predetermined distance in the direction
towards the base; (iii) said anvil member is adjacent to
the holder at one end of the recess and is coextensive
with the recess, the anvil being fixedly secured to the
~ase and thus being relatively movable with respect to the
holder, the anvil member being coextensive with or below the
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levlel of a bottom of the recess when the holder is at said
position above the base, but being above the level of the
bottom of the recess when the holder is at its lowermost
position; (iv) said pair of cutters including a pair of
cutter blades each defining a generally vertical straight
cutting edge, each located to one side of the anvil member
and adajcent the holder; (v) said cutters being movable
from a first position wherein the spacing between the cutting
edge is greater than the width of the wedge-shaped member,
to a second position wherein the cutting edges are each
disposed generally within the plane of coincidence with one
of the side walls of said cutout.
The invention will now be described in greater detail
with reference to an exemplary embodiment of a model of the
device of the present invention shown in simplified fashion
in the accompanying drawings.
IN THE D~AWINGS:
Figure 1 is a simplified partial view of a press
incorporating an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, certain parts of the press and of the device
being omitted for the sake of clarity.
Figures 2a through 2d are simplified, partial, diagramatic
views of a steel billet, showing different stages of
production of the tong hold as produced by the device of the
present invention;
Figure 3 is a simplified, partial view generally along
the line III-III of Figure l; and
Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 but showning
the mutual arrangement of the shown elements as at the stage
with the ram of the press down.
As mentioned above, the drawings show the present
invention by way of reference to a simplified model it being
understood that different parts have been omitted for the
sake of clarity.
Turning now to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, reference
numeral 10 designates a table or base of a press. Shown at
the top of Figure 1 and designated with reference numeral 11
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is a ram of the press, it being understood that the ram 11
is adapted to move back and forth, when driven along the
arrow 12. The drive means of the ram 11 are not shown for
the sake of clarity. Fixedly secured to the ram 11 are two
upright members 13, 14, the lower ends of members 13, 14
being interconnected by a horizontal transverse beam 15.
Thus, the ram 11, the uprights 14 and 13 and the transverse
beam 15 form an integral unit movable up and down along the
arrow 12. The upright member 13 has a cam section 16 near
the lower end of the upright member 13. The upright member 14
has a similar cam section 17 disposed at the same level as the
cam section 16 referred to above.
Fixedly secured to the ram 11 is a block 18 which is
shown as being integral with a wedge-shaped member 19. The
wedge-shaped member 19 has two planar, mutually convergent
surfaces, namely a first wedging surface 20 and a second
wedging surface 21. The surface 20 is generally parallel with
the direction of the arrow 12 while the second surface 21 is
downwardly convergent to form, together with the first wedging
surface, a lowermost edge 22 extending transversely and being
generally horizontal. The wedging member 19 is provided with
a slightly upwardly convergent cutout generally referred to with reference
numeral 23. The cutout is of a narrow rectangular cross-sectional configurationand extends horizontally throughout the wedge-shaped member 19.
It has two planar upright sides and a narrow generally hori-
zontally extending and downwardly facing bottom surface 24.
Moveable within the cutout 23 is a tong section or plate 25
which is integral with a spring loaded base plate 26 secured
to the block 18 and resiliently maintained at a spacing there-
from due to the arrangement of a pair of springs of which
one is referred to with reference numeral 27. Accordingly,
an imaginary pressure exerted upon plate 25 in upward direction
brings the plate 25 into coincidence with the bottom surface 24
but as soon as such hypothetical upward pressure drops below
a predetermined value, the spring 27 and the second unmarked
spring will bring the base plate 26 and thus the plate 25
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back to the position shown in Figure 1. Those skilled in
the! art will readily appreciate that the downwardly facing
surface of the plate 25 thus forms a forging surface while
the springs acting at plate 26 perform the function of
ejector springs.
Fixedly secured on top of the base 10 are relatively
massive guide members 28, 29, 30 and 31. Each of the pairs
of guide members 28-29; 30-31 receives therehetween a sliding
block 32, 33, respectively. The sliding blocks 32, 33 are
guided with respect to the respective blocks 28-31 by fish
tail-shaped guide surfaces such as marked at 34 with respect
to the guide member 31 and block 33.
The forward end of each of the sliding blocks 32, 33
is provided with a removably secured blade 35, 36, respectively,
each of the blades 35, 36, having a straight upright edge.
In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the spacing between
the upriyht edges of the blades 35, 36, corresponds to the
width of the wedge-shaped member 19. Accordingly, the wedge-
shaped member 19 could now pass between the edges of blades
35, 36 without damaging same.
The opposite or rear ends of each block 32, 33 are each
provided with a roller or follower 37, 38 rotatably secured
to the respective block 32, 33 and maintained in rolling
contact with the respective upright member 14, 13 by spring
or the like means (not shown) urging the block 32 towards
the upright 14 and another spring (not shown) urging block 33
towards its upright 13.
It will be appreciated from the above description that
the movement of the ram 11 downwards from the position shown
in Figure 1 will result in simultaneous sliding of blocks 32,
33, (and thus of blades 35, 36) towards each other as the ram
moves down. At the end of the downward stroke, the followers
37, 38 will eventually reach beyond the respective cam sections
16, 17 to assume generally the same relative position as shown
in Figure 1 except that the ram 11 would now be down at the
base 10.
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Reference numeral 39 designates an anvil base fixedly
secured to the base 10 of the press and having an anvil
section 40 which is so shaped and arranged that on displace-
ment of the ram 11 with its lowermost position, the anvil
section 40 is received within the cutout 23. The anvil
section 40 and the anvil base 39 are both fixedly secured to
the base 10 and are not movable relative to same.
Reference numeral 41 designates a wor~piece holder.
The holder 41 is a solid steel plate supported by four springs
42 at a predetermined spacing above the top surface of the
base 10. Disposed centrally of the plate 41 is a V-shaped
channel 43 whose shape is complementary with the lower half
of the shape of the billet shown in Figure 2, as will be
referred to hereinafter. It is to be appreciated that the
channel 43 is the only part of what is generally referred
to as "a longitudinal recess complementary with a workpiece",
it being understood that in many cases it may be feasible
to provide additional means firmly securing the workpiece
within the channel 43. It is also apparent from Figure 1
that the channel 43 is coaxial longitudinally with the
anvil section 40.
In the position shown in Figure 1, the bottom or lower-
most part of the channel 43 is generally coplanar with or
very slightly above the top surface of the anvil section 40.
The extent of downward movement allowed on overcoming the
pressure of springs 42 is such that with the plate 41 resting
on the top surface of the base 10, the level of the top surface
of the anvil section 40 would be slightly above the level of
the lowermost part of the channel 43, approximately one half
of the depth of the channel 43, as will be described later on.
The level of the lowermost part of the channel 43 is shown by
reference numeral 44 in Figures 3 and 4. On the other hand,
the level of the top surface of the anvil member 40 is referred
to with reference numeral 45.
In operation, a billet 46 (Figure 2) is placed into the
channel 43 as shown in broken lines in the representation of
Figure 3. At this position, the lower surfaces 47, 48 of the
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billet having a square shaped cross section configuration
rests against the inside walls defining the channel 43.
A member which can be used in fixedly securing the billet
to the plate 41 and to the channel 43 by clamping it on
top is now shown for the sake of clarity. It will be seen
from Figure 3 that one end portion 49 of the billet is
disposed b~yond the end of channel 43 and above the anvil
39.
If one compares the representation of Figures 3 and 4
with what is shown in Figure 1, one can see that the cutting
edges of the blades 35, 36 are generally coincident with a
vertical plane coinciding with the end of the workpiece
holder 41 at the anvil section 40.
Referring now again to Figures 1, 2a and 3, the billet
49 rests in the channel 43 with a part of the lowermost
edge 50 at the end portion 49 spaced very slightly above
the planar top surface of the anvil section 40. Assuming
now that the press shown in Figure 1 is operated to move
the ram in downward direction (arrow 12 in Figure 1), the
movement will first of all result in displacement of the
sliding blocks 32, 33 inwards, due to the engagement of the
followers 37, 38 with the cam sections 17, 16, respectivel~.
This will bring the blades 35 and 36 temporarily close to
each other such that the vertical edges thereof produce at
each side of the billet 46 an incision 51, 52 (Figure 2b).
As the ram 11 continues its movement downwards, the followers
37, 38 will have reached the upper ends of the cam section 17,
16, as viewed in Figure 1, making it possible for the springs
or other suitable means (none of which is shown in the drawings)
to return the blocks 32, 33 back so as to make space for the
wedge member 19 between the cutting edges of blades 35, 36.
The mutual position of blades 35 and 36 is now identical to
that shown in Figure 1, even though Figure 1 shows the state
at the beginning of the operating stroke. The transverse edge
22 of the wedge-shaped member 19 is now immediately above the
billet 46. As the ram 11 continues its downward movement, the
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--8--
edge 22 enters incisions 51 at each side of the billet 46.
The continuing movement of the wedge 21 downwards results
in that the anvil section 40 will now enter the cutout 23
in the wedge-shaped member 19. The wedging action of the
surEace 21 results in forcing a part of the material of the
billet 46 forwardly of the incision 51 to move towards the
end 48 thus forcing a part of the material of the billet 46
to move forwards towards the end disposed above the anvil 40.
This movement continues until there is any material to be
displaced by the wedging surface 21. Eventually, all of the
material liberated by the incision 51 is moved toward the
free end, the billet thus assuming approximately the shape as
shown in Figure 2c. At this stage, two sides 52, 53 are
formed due to the drawing effect of the wedging surface 21 and
the side walls of the recess or cutout 23.
The downward movement of the wedge shaped member 19 now
continues until the downwardly facing surface of the plate 25
contacts the top edge 54 of the billet. Virtually simultaneously,
the bottom edge 50 engages the top surface of the anvil section
40 as the workpiece holder 41 is now subjected to a force
sufficient to overcome the pressure of springs 42. Accordingly,
the entire workpiece holder 41 is now pushed down toward the
top surface of the base 10. This movement results, first, in
displacement of plate 26 such that it rests on the bottom
surface 24 of the cutout 23. The workpiece is now forged such
that a top surface 55 (Figure 2b) and a bottom surface 56,
parallel with the surface 55, are formed simultaneously by
engagement of the workpiece with the downwardly facing surface
of the plate 25 and with the top of the anvil portion 40. The
mutual arrangement of the parts is such that at the lowermost
position of the ram 11 of the press results in the spacing
between the downwardly facing surface of member 25 and the
top of anvil member 40 generally corresponding to the distance
between the surfaces 55 and 56 of the tong hold 57 which is
thus formed. The mutual position of the elements forming the
upper and lower surfaces 55, 56 of the tong hold is shown in
Figure 4.
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The continuing operation of the press results in the ram
11 of the press being lifted again. The wedge-shaped member
19 is moved upwards, whereby the slot 23 clears the side walls
52, 53 of the tong hold, the release from within the cutout 23
being assisted by the springs 27 acting on the base plate 26
and thus on the plate 25 within the recess 23. The same
movement results in that the downward pressure previously
active at the workpiece holder 41 is no longer present whereby
the plate 41 returns back to its upper position as shown in
Figure 1 or Figuxe 4. During the upward movement, the followers
37, 38 pass over the peaks of the respective cam sections 17, 16,
but this time the movement is no longer operative since the
sides of the tong hold have already been formed.
Eventually, the ram 11 reaches its uppermost position of
Figure 1, whereupon the billet 46 can be removed from the
channel 43 and replaced by a new workpiece heated to a forging
temperature, whereupon the whole operation can be repeated.
It will be appreciated that the described arrangement
thus produces the tong hold by a single stroke of a press
which firstly results in the formation of side walls of the
tong hold which ~re produced by drawing the material, where-
upon the top and bottom surfaces of the tong hold are formed
by forging due to the impact of the respective parts. This
provides the advantage of rel~tively small volume of the
material being required for the formation of sufficiently
long tong hold. The result is substantially reduced waste
as the tong hold is eventually discarded, as is well known in
the art.
Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate many
modifications or additions to the device as shown. As
mentioned above, the clamping device for the workpiece to
firmly retain same in the groove 43 is not shown. The cam
and follower mechanism as described can be replaced by many
other equivalents of such mechanism. The position as shown
in Figure 1, i.e. with the ram 11 moving up and down is
most practical which is not to say that the device could
not operate in a modified position, for instance in which the
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-10- .
ram would move horizontally. Furthermore, the present
invention does not necessarily include the press itself.
The above examples are but few indications of the
fact that many embodiments of the present invention may
exist departing to a greater or lesser degree from the
described embodiment without departing from the present
invention as set forth in the accompanying claims~
