Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
1 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a force application
apparatus which may be longitudinally extended in any
desired configuration to apply the force along lines
defining such configuration. The present apparatus is
particularly suitable for the operating of strip steel
knives, for the application of pressure along a line or
curve in a plane or in space.
United States Patent 3,815,464 discloses a single stroke
cutter operated by an expandable hose for severing a seat
belt in an emergency. A repeated cutting operation is not
possible with this type of structure. The single stroke
apparatus is also not suitable for applying the force along
a three-dimensional curve.
United States Patent 2,363,779 is representative of the
prior art in which expandable hose sections are arranged
to cover a large surface area correspondingin size, for
example, to the surface area of a wall panel which is to
~e glued together from several panel components.
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1 U. S. Patent 3,822,627 discloses a press which is operated
by an inflatable cushion in the form of a membrane. The
pressure is applied to the entire surface area and not only
along the lines defined, for example, by the configuration
of a strip steel knife.
In the prior art it is not possible to assemble the force
application apparatus from modular components into modular
units which may be arranged and rearranged for applying a
force precisely along a line rather than to an entire sur- -
face area, whereby the line may be curved in a three-
dimensional space.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
In view of the foregoing it is the aim of the invention to
achieve the following objects singly or in combination:
to construct a universally useful force applica-
tion apparatus which will require a relatively short struc-
tural height, as compared to piston cylinder arrangements,
and which is not subject to rotation such as a piston might
be whereby the apparatus shall be capable of taking up
transversely e~fective forces;
to provide a force application apparatus capable
of applying a ~orce along a line which may be straight or
curved in a plane or in space, whereby a repeated operation
shall be possible and the modular units shall be useful for
repeated rearrangement so that the force may be applied to
different configurations;
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1 to construct a force application apparatus from
modular components in such a manner that a plurality of
such modular components may be arranged to form force ap-
plicator units which are actuated by an expandable hose
arranged in common for a plurality of modular force appli-
cator components;
to construct a force application apparatus from
prefabricated modular components which simplify the entire
structure as compared to piston cylinder means, and hence
also result in a very economical assembly of said pre-
fabricated, modular components into modular units so that
mass production techniques may be employed;
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to construct a three-dimensionally effective
force application device from modular units capable of
operating strip steel knives for cutting car ~loor carpets,
for trimming car dashboards and any other three-dimensional
work pieces;
to construct all modular,prefabricated components
so that each component of a modular unit is individually ad-
justable to avoid jamming or canting of the movable compo-
nents of the force application apparatus;
to assemble a plurality of modular units made up
of modular components into a three-dimensionally effective
force application device;
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1 to construct guide means for the modular units
so that a piston rod guided by the guide means may simul-
taneously function as a force applicator; and
to secure tools, such as strip steel knives, to
pressure transmission means independently of any guiding
means which guide the movement of the pressure transmission
means.
,
SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTION:
According to the invention there is provided a force appli-
cation apparatus which comprises a pressure expandable hose,
reaction means extending along the hose and connected or
connectable to a machine frame. Pressure transmission means
extend along the hose substantially opposite`the reaction
means. The hose, the reaction means, and the pressure trans-
mission means extend through modular frame components which,
for example, may be cut from four cornered, tubular, sectional
stock. Guide means are operatively held by the modular
frame components for guiding the movement of the pressure
transmission means. Reset means are operati~el~ interposed
between the modular frame components and the pressure trans-
mission means for resetting the pressure transmission means
after each work stro~e. Force application means are opera-
tively arranged for cooperation with the pressure trans-
mission means. A plurality of modu~ar frame ~nents and the
respective guide means form a modular unit or assembly.
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1 The force transmission means may be provided in the form of
rods which are guided in guide bushings and which simultane-
ously carry the too~ssuch as strip steel knives or counter
: holder means. In an alternative embodiment the guide rods
i may be arranged independently of the means securing the
- tools to the pressure transmission means.
BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION:
. .
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, it
will now be described, by way of example, with reference
to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side view of a force application
apparatus according to the invention
partially in section and comprising three
modular frame components, two of which are
support elements and one of which holds
stroke limiting means;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view along section line 2 - 2
in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a side view similar to that of Fig. 1 in
which a strip steel knife is secured to the
pressure transmission means independently of
the guide means and in which the stroke
limiting means are connected to ~he modular
support frame components;
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1 Fig. 4 is a sectional view along section line
4 - 4 in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a perspecti~e view of a plurality of
modular force application units to form a
three-dimensionally effective tool,for
example, for the cutting of vehicle floor
carpeting;
Fig. 6 is a side view similar to that of Fig. 3
however, with a strip steel knife directly
connected to the guided rods which thus
simultaneously form the force transmission
means; and
Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to that of
Fig. 4, however, showing further details of
a guide bushing and wherein the force appli-
cator is constructed as a counter holder
means, for example, for a stationary strip
steel knife.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS AND
OF THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION:
The work applying apparatus 1 of Fig. 1, comprises a reaction
means 2 such as a steel bar operatively connected to a m~ne
frame not shown. An elastically expandable hose 3 rests
against the reaction member 2. The shape of the reaction
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1 member 2 is adapted to the individual requirements of the
particular type of force application. Three modular frame
components 4, 5, and 6 are operatively secured to the
reaction member 2 by adjustable screws 7, 8, and 9 respec-
tively. For this purpose the reaction member 2 is provided
with respective threaded holes at spaced intervals so that
the modular frame components may be also spaced from each
other to form a modular unit also referred to as work appli-
cation apparatus 1.
The modular frame components 4, 5, and 6 may be cut as rela-
tively short sections from tubular sectional stock such as
a four cornered pipe of rectangular or square cross section.
The frame components 4 and 6 support a pressure transmission
means such as a longitudinal steel plate 10 which rests longi-
tudinally against the hose 3 ~substantially opposite the re-
action bar 2. Further, the frame components 4 and 6 support
guide bushings 11 and 12 for guid~ng the movement of the
pressure plate 10. The guide bushings 11 and 12 are rigidly
secured, for example, by welding to the lower legs or cross
ties of the modular frame components 4 and 6. The guide
bushings 11 and 12 have a shoulder 14 which rests against
the respective cross tie 13. Further, each guide bushing
11, 12 has an upper end of smaller diameter which extends
into the respective modular frame component 4 and 6. Each
guide bushing is provided with a longitudinal, axial bore
which forms a sleeve guide bearing for guide rods 15 and 16
which simultaneously serve as force applying piston rods.
The upper end 17 of each guide rod 1~, 16 is rigidly secured
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to the pressure plate 10, for example, by screws 18 and
by a ring member 18'. Thus, the rods 15, 16 will move
up and down with the movement of the pressure plate 10 in
response to the expansion of the hose 3 and guided in the
longitudinal bores of the respective guide bushing 11, 12.
A tool, not shown in Figs. 1 and 2, may be operatively
secured to the lower ends lg and 20 of the rods 15 and 16.
A plurality of holes may be arranged in a row in the pres-
sure plate 10 th~ugh whichthescrews 18 may extend. Thus, by
loosening the screws 18 the frame components 4, 6 may be
adjusted into any position along the length of the pressure
plate 10.
Reset means such as a spring 21,are arranged between the
pressure plate 10 and the inwardly facing surface of the
cross tie 13.
.
.
The spring 21 is operatively held in position by the narrower
diameter upper end of the respective guide bushing 11, 12 and
by the respective ring 18'. The ring 18' and the upper end
of the guide bushing are sufficiently spaced from each other
so as not to interfere with the work stroke. In the position
shown in Fig. 1 the hose 3 is expanded to its maximum extent
and the spring 21 will return the pressure plate 10 and the
hose 3 into a rest position as soon as the pressure is re-
leased from the hose 3, whereby the pressure medium is re-
moved from the hose 3 by the force of the springs 21.
The further modular frame member 5 carries a stop means 22
for limiting the maximum stroke of the pressure plate 10.
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1 For this purpose a screw 24 extends through a threaded
block 26 which may be welded to the lower cross tie 27
of the frame component 5. The screw 24 extends with its
upper free end 23 through a hole 28 in the cross tie 27
and cooperates with a counter nut 27 for adjusting the
position of the free end 23 relative to the pressure
plate 10, and thereby the length of the stroke.
The hose 3, the reaction bar 2, and the pressure plate 10
extend through all frame components 4, 5, and 6 and the
ends of the hose 3 are closed by clamping elements 29 and 30.
A pressure medium may be supplied into the hose 3 and removed
from the hose 3 through a connecting nipple 31. The source
of pressure may be pneumatic or hydraulic.
The force application modular unit 1 is particularly suitable
for applying pressure forces along a line. In this connec-
tion it is especially advantageous that the direction of
force application, namely, the direction of movement of the
rods 15 and 16 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal
axis of the hose 3. The length of the hose 3, the reaction
take up bar 2 and the pressure plate 10 may be selected to
accommodate any individual requirements. The number of
modular subassemblies which are distributed along the length
of the elements 2, 3, 10 will depend on the length of the
just mentioned elements. Each subassembly is constructed
exactly like any other subassembly and comprises the
modular frame component 4, 6 with the guide bushing 11, 12,
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1 with the respective guide rod 15, 16 and the reset spring
21. The additional subassemblies with the modular frame
components 5 are also constructed in exactly the same man-
ner and the frame components may be cut from the same
; tubular stock. Thus, these modular units may be produced
by mass production techniques, thereby greatly economizing
the production costs.;
Another important advanta~e of the invention is seen in
;, that each individual subassembly may be separate~y s~edto
and adjusted on the reaction bar 2, whereby a proper parallel
guide through the bushings 11, 12, and the guide rods 15, 16
is accomplished. It has been found to be advantageous for
-
said parallel guiding to insert an elastic rubber type
washer 32 between the frame components and the reaction bar 2.
Due to the eIasticity of the intermediate washer 32 the guide
bushings 11, 12 with the respective guide rods 15, 16 always
; take up a position so that the ~uide surfaces extend at right
angles to the longitudinal axis of the hose 3 and thus assur-
ing the necessary parallel guide.;'
Incidentally, the reset spring 21 may also be inserted in
- the modular frame component S around the limit screw 23.
The present apparatus is suitable wherever it is necessary
to apply a force or where a tool or machine component is
required to be adjusted or to make a relativeIy short move-
ment. The modular units may be distributed in any desired
configuration or shape, for example, along a three-dimen-
sional curve and there are substantially no limitations to
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1 the length of the apparatus because any number of modular
units may be assembled in a row.
It has been found that, for example, for transmitting a
pressure of six tons along a line having a length of 1 m,
the costs for the required num~er of conventional piston
cylinder force applicators would be about ten times the
, costs for the required number of force applicator units
according to the invention. Moreover, the structural
height has been reduced substantially, namely, to about
30% as compared to the structural height required for
piston cylinder force applicators. Another substantial
advantage of the invention is seen in the arran~ement which
permits mo~ing tools through a work piece and through upper
and lower molds simultaneously in opposite directions from
opposite surfaces of the work piece substantially without
interference between the simultaneous or sequential opera-
' tion of the modular units.
~,
Fig. 3 illustrates a view similar to that of Fig. 1, howeverin Fig. 3 there are two subassemblies 33 and 34 which simul-
taneously carry the guide bushings 35 and 36 as well as theguide rods 37 and 38 and the stroke limiting means 39 and 40.
The stoke limiting means 39 are secured to the frame compo-
nent 41 by a bracket 42 and cooperate with counter nuts 43.
The stroke limiting means 40 are secured to the modular
frame component 44 by a bracket 45 and cooperate with
adjustment counter nuts 46.
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1 As in Fig. 1, the reaction bar 47 extends along one side
of the hosç 48. The other side of the hose extends along
the pressure transmission plate 49. The modular frame com-
ponents 41 and 44 are adjustably secured to the reaction
bar 47 by screws 50 including lock washers 51. Both ends
of the hose 48 are closed by clamping means 52. A pressure
medium is admitted into the hose 48 and removed from the
hose 48 through a connector 53 which may cooperate with a
flexible conduit 54.
The pressure plate 49 is secured to force transmission bars
55 by screws 56. The pressure plate 49 is further secured
to the guide rods 37 and 38 by screws 57. A cover plate 58
covers the hea& of the screws 56, 57. In Fig. 3 the guide
rods 37 and 38 are independent of the force transmission
bars 55. However, the operation is the same in both embod-
iments because the expansion of the hose 48 is transmitted
as a ~ertical up and down movement of the bars 55 to a tool
such as a strip steeI knife 59 and the parallel movement is
rigidly enforced by the guide bushings 35, 36 and the respec-
tive guide rods 37, 38. The resetting is accomplished, justas in Fig. 1, by a resetting spring 60 best seen in Fig. 4.
A friction redu~ing liner 61 is preferably inserted into the
guide bushings 35, 36, thereby improving the operation of
the guide bushing as an axial sleeve bearing.
The strip steel knife 59 is secured to the bars 55 by clamp-
ing means 62 of conventional construction. An electrical
heating conductor 63 may be arranged along the strip steel
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1~3~51~
1 knife 59 as is conventional to preheat the knife depending
on the type of work piece 64 to be cut by the knife 59.
Incidentally, in Fig. 1 it is possible to use guide rods 15,
;' 16 of different lengths and in Fig. 3 the bars 55 may have
different lengths, whereby the tool to be attached to the
rods 15, 16 or to the bars 55 may have a curved shape.
Referring to Fig. 4 the present tool with its strip steel
knife 59 cooperates with an upper mold 65 ha~ing a gap 66
therein through which the knife 59 extends. The work
piece 64 is held between the upper mold 65 and a lower
mold 67. The lower mold may be supported on a lifting
table or the like not shown. The upper mold 65 operates
as a hold down member. Both molds conform to the desired
shape of the work piece. The lower mold 67 is also pro-
vided with a gap 68 which is lined by steel strips 69 held
in position by a channel member 70 secured by screws 71 to
the lower mold 67. Incidentally, the molds 65 and 67 may
be made of fiberglass or the like.
In operation, the strip steel knife 59 penetrates through
the work piece 64 in response to the pressurization of the
hose 48 thereby moving through the gap 66 and into the
gap 68 since the work piece 67 is stretched across the
gap 6~. Thus, the knife 59 does not cooperate with a
counter hold~g means in the embodiment of Fig. 4, but
rather with the relatively narrow gaps 66 and 68. The
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1 upper mold 65 and the lower mold 67 are thus greatly
relieved of forces resulting from the cutting operation
and therefore may be of relatively light construction.
The modular frame components 41, 44 may be heId in a machine
frame not show~ by means of bars 72 welded to the modular
frame components and preferably secured to a machine frame
by conventional means such as position adjustable clamps or
the like.
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view-of a three-dimensional
cutting or trimming tool assembly. Features not essential
for the illustration have been omitted. Thus, the machine
frame, the pressure supply means, and similar components
have been omitted from Fig. 5 to facilitate the illustration
; of the features which are necessary to show the three-
dimensional arrangement of a total of ten modular assemblies
; according to the invention for cutting a work piece 74 such
as a floor carpet for a vehicle. Only eight of the modular
assemblies are seen in Fig. 5. The two additional assemblies
are not seen in Fig. 5 because they are below the work piece
and back of the tw~ assemblies shown in Fig. 5 below the
work piece. The work piece is held in position between an
upper mold 75 and a lower mold 76. The molds may be made of
fiberglass to have the contour re~uired for the work piece.
The lower mold 76 and the modular units 77 and 78 which
are arranged inside the mold 76 are operatively supported
on a lifting table 79 by conventional means. The raising
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1 and lowering of the lifting table 79 may be accomplished
by mechanical, hydraulîc, or pneumatic means. The lower
mold 76 and the modular tool units 77 and 78 are raised
and lowered together with the table 79. Locking piston
cylinder means 80 are rigidly secured to the machine frame
not shown and cooperate with locking means 81 formîng part
of the lifting table for locking the lifting table to the
, machine frame in an operating position. Such locking has
the ad~antage of transmittîng reactîon forces înto the
machine frame so that they do not have to be taken up by
;~ the lifting table.
The upper mold 75 and six modular force applicatîon units
or assemblies 82 to 87 are supported in an upper portion of
. ,
a machine frame or in a separate frame structure which may
be exchangeable or whîch may also be movable up and down by
con~entional means relative to the lower tool structure 76,
77, 78, 79.
The force application assembly 82 is of the type shown in
Fig. 1 wherein the rods 88 simultaneously function as force
transmission rods and as guide rods. The rods 88 carry
strip steel knives 89 and counter holder means 90 as well
as an extended knife 91. The assemblies 83, 84, 85, 86,
and 87 are of the type shown in more detail in Fig. 3 in
which the guide rods 92 are separate from the force trans-
mission ~ars 93. Basically, any type of assembly as dis-
closed herein may be combined in a three-dimensionally
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1 effective tool with any other type of assembly disclosed
herein. The assembly 83 carries a strip steel knife 94
which is cooperating with a gap as shown in Fig. 4. The
assembly 84 carries a strip steel knife 95 operating in
the same manner as the knife 94.
The assembly 85 carries strip steel knives 96, counter
holder means 97, and an extended knife 98. The assembly 86
carries a knife 99 and the assembly 87 carries a knife 100.
The assembly 77 carries a knife 101 cooperating with one of
the counter holders 97. A typical counter holder is shown
in Fig. 7 and will be described in more detail below. The
assembly 78 carries a knife 102 cooperating with the other
counter holder 97.
The strip steel knives are arranged in such a manner that
a continuous line of cut is accomplished in accordance with
the three-dimensional shape of the work piece 74. The upper
and lower molds are provided with gaps for the passage of
the knives as described above with reference to Fig. 4 so
that the various tools or knives may be effective through
the molds from opposite sides thereof and the operation of
the knives may be controlled to be simultaneous or in se-
quence, whereby an interference of tools is positively
avoided. The supporting of the various tool assemblies
will normally be such that the direction o~ knife movement
is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the work
piece at that point. However, the present knives are
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l effective even if they are arranged at an angle relative
to the work piece surface as may be necessary depending on
the shape of the work piece. Further, the present assemblies
may carry different tools simultaneously. Thus, as mentioned,
the assemblies 82 and 85 carry simultaneously different types
of knives and counter holders. The securing of the various
assemblies to the lifting table 79 and to the machine frame
may be accomplished by adjustable clamping means which are
conventional in the art.
It is an advantage of the invention that the assembly may be
made to any desired length and may be assembled to extend
around corners and curved work pieces. The adaptation of
the positioning of the tool assemblies to the requirements
of the work piece shape is substantially simpler than in
the prior art which uses piston cylinder arrangements.
Fig. 6 shows a modification of the assem~les shown in
Figs. 3 and 4. In Fig. 6 the assembly 103 comprises rods
or bars 104 which serve simultaneously as guide rods and as
force transmission rods since the bars 104 extend through
guide bushings 104'. These rods may have different lengths
so as to accommodate a curved strip steel knife 105. In-
cidentally, the strip steel knives may have serrated cut-
ting edges as is ~nown in the art and they may be heated
by an electric heater 106 as has been described above.
The reset means and the stroke limiting means 107 are
substantially the same as in Fig. 3. An elastic washer
layer 108 may be inserted between the modular frame com-
ponents lO9 and the reaction bar 110 and the position of
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1 the modular frame components 109 is adjustable by screw 111
as described. The stroke limiting means 107 cooperate with
the pressure transmission plate 112. The embodiment of
Fig. 6 has the advantage that separate stroke limiting frame
means as shown in Fig. 1 and also separate force transmitting
bars as shown in Fig. 3 are avoided, whereby a very compact
assembly is achieved including the expansion hose 103'.
The force transmission and guide bars 104 are operatively
connected to the knife 105 through sockets 113 and screws 114
which secure the socket 113 to the lower ends of the rods 104.
Additional screws 115 connect the socket 113 to an inter-
mediate bracket 116 which in turn is conventionally connected
to the strip steel knife 105, for example, in a manner as
shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 4,however
the tool 117 attached to the force transmitting rod 118
which functions simultaneously as a guide rod, is a counter
holder cooperating with a knife 119 which may be stationary
or movable.
The modular frame component 120 is cut as a relatively
short piece from sectional steel having a U-channel cross-
section. A plurality of such modular frame components 120
are operatively secured to a longitudinal reaction bar 121.
The pressure transmission plate 122 is operatively secured
to the upper end of the force transmission rod 118. The
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pressure transmission plate 122 will have a length substan-
tially corresponding to that of the reaction bar 121 and of
the hose 123. A reset spring 124 is operatively inserted
between the lower cross tie 125 of the modular frame compo-
nent 120 and the pressure transmission plate 122.
The rod 118 is guided by a guide bushing 126, for example,
in the form of a ball box or the like. The ball ~ox 126 is
in turn properly held in position by a sleeve 127 welded to
the tie 125. The stroke may be limited by one or ~e~eral
washers 128 at the upper end of the rod 118 placed there
prior to the assembly of the entire unit. The washer means
128 cooperate with the upper end of the ball box 126 thereby
limiting the downward expansion of the hose 123.
t
The counter holder tool 117 may comprise a longitudinal
U-shaped channeI member 129 secured to the lower end of
the rod 118 and holding a replaceable strip of plastic
material 130 such as TEFLON (Registered Trademark) or the
like. The counter holder extends, for example, through a
gap 131 in an upper mold or hold down member 132 which
presses the work piece 133 against the lower mold 134 which
is also provided with a gap 135 through which the knives 119
extend.
In the light of the above disclosure it is clear that the
assembly is greatly simplified. For example, only align-
ment of a minimum number of components with the respective
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;
1 holes is necessary. Thus, the registering of a plurality
of holes to be aligned has been avoided according to the
invention.
Although the invention has been described with reference
to specific example embodiments, it will be appreciated,
that it is intended, to cover all modification and equiv- :
alents within the scope of the appended claims.
