Dec. 24, 1968
`-
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`R. L. VALENTE
`APPARATUS FOR POINTING WORK PIECES
`
`3,417,598
`
`Filed Aug. 19, 1966
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`3. Sheets—Sheet 1
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`Page 1 of 7
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`EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES EX. 1022
`Edwards Lifesciences v. Boston Scientific Scimed
`U.S. Patent No. 6,915,560
`
`

`
`Dec. 24, 1968
`
`Filed Aug. 19, 1966
`
`R. L. VALENTE
`APPARATUS FOR POINTING WORK PIECES
`3. Sheets—Sheet 2
`
`3,417,598
`
`
`
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`???
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`= 90%, 54% ????,
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`Page 2 of 7
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`

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`Dec. 24, 1968
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`Filed Aug. 19, 1966
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`R. L. VALENTE
`APPARATUS FOR POINTING WORK PIECES
`3 Sheets—Sheet 3
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`3,417,598
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`Page 3 of 7
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`

`
`United States Patent ffice
`
`3,417,598
`Patented Dec. 24, 1968
`
` 1
`
`2
`
`3,417,598
`APPARATUS FOR POINTING WORK PIECES
`Raymond L. Valente, Kankakee, I1l., assignor to Mauco
`Manufacturing Co., Bradley,
`III., a corporation of
`Illinois
`
`Filed Aug. '19, 1966, Ser. No. 573,650
`17 Claims. (Cl. 72—383)
`
`This invention relates generally to a workpiece shaping
`machine and more particularly to a die for a tube point-
`ing machine.
`The fabricators of tubes often reduce the diameter of
`the tube by forcing the tube through a drawing machine.
`It is a common practice to facilitate inserting the tube in
`the drawing machine by first pointing or reducing the
`diameter of an end portion of the tube. Tube pointing
`machines generally use a plurality of relatively movable
`forming dies to reduce the diameter of an end portion of
`a tube. These forming dies are mounted with work en-
`gaging ribs or blades in an interleaved arrangement. The
`diameter of the tube is reduced by moving the dies radial-
`ly .inwardly relative to the tube while increasing the inter-
`leaved relationship between the outwardly projecting
`workpiece engaging die ribs or blades.
`The widespread industrial usage of such pointing ma-
`chines clearly indicates their generally satisfactory per-
`formance. However, difficulty is frequently encountered
`in using the machines due to relative movement between
`the outwardly extending blades of a die. The relative
`movement between the work-engaging blades of a die is
`caused by the extrusion of small ridges of metal between
`the blades of the die as the end portion of the tube is
`compressed. Since the tube tends to elongate slightly in
`an axial direction as the end portion is compressed, the
`ribs are stretched and deflected axially by the ridges of
`metal. This deflection often, after a period of use, breaks
`the die blades necessitating the replacement of the rela-
`tively expensive dies.
`Another problem which is frequently encountered in
`using prior art tube pointing machines is the formation
`of nibs or flashes at an outermost end portion of a tube,
`due to the interleaved or intermeshing arrangement of
`the forming dies. The nip or flash is formed between the
`two outermost ribs or blades and the adjacent laterally
`inwardly displaced intermeshing blades of the adjacent
`dies. Since these nibs or flashes tend to catch on the dies
`of a drawing machine when the end portion of a tube is
`inserted in the drawing machine,
`these nibs or flashes
`impede rapid insertion of a tube member into a forming
`machine.
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`Therefore, it is an object of this invention to prov.ide a ’
`tube pointing machine die which eliminates nibs or flashes
`at the end of a pointed tube and which has a relatively
`long service life.
`Another object of this invention is to provide a point-
`ing machine die which is constructed to prevent metal
`from being extruded between load engaging ribs or blades
`of the die.
`
`55
`
`Another object of this invention is to provide a tube
`pointing die having load engaging blades which are not
`deflected when a tube is compressed.
`Another object of this invention is to provide an inter-
`leaved tube pointing die assembly which circumscribes an
`outermost end portion of a tube to eliminate the forma-
`tion of flashes or nibs when the tube is shaped.
`These and other objects and features of the invention
`will become more apparent upon a reading of the follow-
`ing detailed description taken in connection with the ac-
`companying drawings, wherein:
`FIG.
`1 is a partial sectional view of a tube shaping
`machine .in which a die assembly forming a first embodi-
`ment of the invention is mounted;
`
`(10
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`65
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`70
`
`FIG. 2 is a sectional v.iew, along the line 2—2 of
`FIG. 1, illustrating the inter-relationship of a plurality of
`pairs of relatively movable tube shaping dies for forming
`a point on a tube;
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a tube mem-
`ber which has been pointed or shaped by the machine of
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a tube shap-
`ing die utilized in the machine of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the
`line 5—5 of FIG. 4,
`illustrating the relationship of a
`longitudinally extending bar member to a vertically ex-
`tending blade of a die;
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the
`line 6-6 of FIG. 4, illustrating the relationship of the
`longitudinally extending bar to the die;
`FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the
`line 7—7 of FIG. 1, illustrating in solid lines the initial
`relationship of a plurality of pairs of tube forming or
`pointing dies to a tube member and, in dashed lines, the
`relationship of the dies to the tube member as the tube
`is radially compressed by the dies;
`FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the
`relationship of the dies of FIG. 7 to each other and a
`tube member at
`the completion of a tube shaping or
`forming process;
`FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective View of a tube form-
`ing or pointing die illustrating a second embodiment of
`the invention;
`FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the
`line 10-10 of FIG. 9, illustrating the construction of the
`die of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 11 is an enlarged View of a pair of dies, similar
`to the die of FIG. 9, at the completion of a tube forming
`and pointing operation;
`FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a forwardmost end
`portion of a tube member shaped or pointed by the dies
`of FIG. 11; and
`FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of a die illus-
`trating a third embodiment of the invention.
`Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there
`is shown in FIG. 1 a tube shaping machine 20* for point-
`ing or otherwise shaping a cylindrical tube 22. The ma-
`chine 20 includes a cylindrical outer housing or frame
`24 to which an end housing 26 is connected by bolts 28.
`A face plate 30 is mounted on a rear or tube receiving
`end of the housing 24. A plurality of forming or pointing
`dies 32 are mounted in sliding engagement with a longi-
`tudinally rearwardly extending wedge members 36. The
`Wedge members 36 are connected to the dies by means of
`a suitable key and slot arrangement 38 (see FIG. 2 also).
`The wedges 36 are moved rearwardly toward the face
`plate 30, by means of a ram 40 which is formed with
`a head 42 for engaging a forwardmost end portion of the
`wedges 36. The ram 40 is moved rearwardly by means of
`fluid pressure in a hydraulic cylinder 44.
`As the wedges 36 are moved rearwardly, they extend
`through apertures 46 formed in the face plate 30. During
`this rearward movement, the dies 32 slide on the key and
`slot structure 38 and contemporaneously therewith move
`radially inwardly relative to the tube 22 to compress a
`forwardmost end section 50 of the tube. Radially inward-
`ly extending guide walls 51 are provided for guiding the
`dies 32 radially inwardly (see FIG. 2). The dies 32 are
`retained in the longitudinal position shown in FIG.
`1
`by a forward positioning wall 52 and a rear plate 54
`against which opposite end portions of the dies 32 are
`placed in an abutting relationship. The positioning wall
`52 is formed with a plurality of suitably shaped apertures
`56 for receiving the wedges 36. The rearward movement
`of the wedges 36 and inward movement of the dies 32
`
`Page 4 of 7
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`Page 4 of 7
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`

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`3,417,598
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`3
`is regulated by a control assem-bly 60. Tube shaping ma-
`chines similar to the one illustrated are well known to
`those skilled in the art, and, therefore, it is believed that
`a further disclosure of the structural details of the ma-
`chine is not necessitated at this time. However, United
`States Patent No. 3,154,978 to Baker is herein incorpo-
`rated by this reference as setting forth in some detail the
`structure of such a tube shaping machine.
`The structure of a tube member 22 which has been
`shaped or pointed by the machine 20 is illustrated in FIG.
`3. A shaped or pointed end portion 50 of the tube 22 is
`of a substantially reduced diameter. The end portion 50
`includes a plurality of acruate ridges 64 which are formed
`in the end portion 50 by the dies 32. The arcuate ridges
`64 extend longitudinally rearwardly of the tube until an
`arcuate radially outwardly extending shoulder 66 is en-
`countered which separates the pointed end portion 50 of
`the tube from a larger body section 68. The pointed or
`shaped tube 22 can be readily inserted in a forming ma-
`chine by inserting the foremost end or pointed portion
`50 into the drawing machine and pulling the relatively
`large diameter body section 68 of the tube through dies
`in the drawing machine.
`Referring now to FIG. 4, taken in conjunction with
`FIGS. 5 and 6, it can be seen that the dies 32 include a
`truncated base block 70 from which a plurality of spaced-
`apart parallel work-engaging blades or ribs 72 extend.
`The die 32 has a vertically extending forward end sur-
`face 74 which engages the positioning wall 52 (FIG. 1) of
`the tube shaping machine 20 and a vertically extending
`rectangular rear surface 76 which engages the rear plate
`54 (FIG. 1) of the tube shaping machine 20. This en-
`gagement of the forward and rear surfaces 74 and 76 of
`the die 32 positions the die longitudinally in the tube shap-
`ing machine 20. The die is positioned for radial move-
`ment relative to a tube by sliding engagement of trape-
`zoidal side surfaces 78 (only one of which is shown in
`FIG. 4) of the die with the guide walls 51.
`The fins or blades 72 are integrally formed with the
`base block 70 and extend radially inwardly from the
`base block to engage a cylindrical outer surface of a tube
`which is to be shaped. The blades 72 are spaced apart
`by transversely extending slots 82 which have a width of
`the same dimension as the thickness of the blades 72.
`The blades 72 are interconnected by a longitudinally ex-
`tending bar member 84 which is centrally positioned in-
`termediate outer edge surfaces 86 of the blades 72. The
`bar member 84 has a series of transversely extending
`slots 88 (see FIG. 6) which engage a base section 90 of
`the outwardly extending blades 72 to securely intercon-
`nect the blades.
`The longitudinally extending bar member, as is perhaps
`seen in FIG. 5, has a substantially triangular cross-section.
`A base of the triangle is formed with a pair of inwardly
`converging Work engaging surfaces 94 and 96 which in-
`tersect at a central axis 98 of the die 32. The blades 72
`are formed with a pair of inwardly converging work en-
`gaging surfaces 100 and 102 which are substantially co-
`planar with the surfaces 94 and 96 of the bar member
`84. The inwardly converging surfaces 94, 96, 100‘ and 102
`form a generally V-shaped outer work engaging surface
`of the die 32. This V-shaped outer work engaging sur-
`face of the die 32 (as is best seen in FIG. 7) engages an
`outer surface of a tube member 22 which is to be formed
`to position the tube member with its longitudinally ex-
`tending axis in substantial alignment with the central axis
`98 of the die 32. It should be noted that a line of inter-
`section 106 of the work engaging surfaces 94 and 96 is
`coincident with a line of intersection of the work en-
`gaging surfaces 100 and 102 of the blades 72. As is per-
`haps best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, a rearward end surface
`108 of the bar 84 is -sloped longitudinally outwardly in a
`forward direction to form the shoulder 68 on a tube.
`Four sets of juxtaposed blades 72 are shown in FIG. 7
`in working engagement with an outer surface of a tube
`
`4
`22. Two sets of blades are associated with a vertical pair
`of dies 112 which are movable radially inwardly toward
`each other along a central axis 114 which is coincident
`with the central axis 98 of the dies. The two remaining
`sets of blades are associated with a second Pair of dies
`116. The dies 116 are mounted for radial inwardly move-
`ment along a horizontally extending axis 118. The work
`engaging surfaces 100 and 102 of the two pairs of dies
`112 and 116 position the tube 22 with its central longi-
`tudinally extending axis coincident with the intersection
`of the vertical axis 114 and horizontal axis 118 of the dies.
`The vertical pair of dies 112 are mounted in a longi-
`tudinally forwardly olfset relationship relative to the hori-
`zontal pair of dies 116. The vertical pair of dies 112 is
`offset relative to the horizontal pair of dies 116 by a
`distance equal to the thickness of a single blade or rib
`72. Blades 72 of the longitudinally offset dies 112 are,
`therefore, mounted in an intermeshing or interleaved re-
`lationship juxtaposed with the blades of the horizontal
`dies 116. The blades of the dies 116 are located in an
`interleaved relationship rearwardly of the blades of the
`dies 112. This interleaved or intermeshing relationship
`between the pairs of dies 112 and 116 results in the two
`pairs of dies substantially circumscribing or surrounding
`the tube 22. As the dies 112 and 116 are moved simul-
`taneously radially inwardly by the wedge members 36
`(see FIG. 1), the tube 22 is deformed from the position
`indicated in solid lines in FIG. 7 toward the position in-
`dicated in dashed lines in FIG. 7.
`As the radially inwardly movement of the dies is con-
`tinued, the tube 22 is gradually compressed by the two
`pairs of dies to the position indicated in FIG. 8. The
`radially inward movement of the pairs of dies 112 and
`116 is limited by the bar members 84. As is apparent
`from an inspection of FIG. 8, the outer upper edges of
`the bar member 84 just engage each other at a longitudi-
`nally extending line of intersection 122 to limit the in-
`ward movement of the pairs of dies. At the limit of
`inward movement of the pairs of dies 112 and 116, the
`tube 22 is circumscribed by the longitudinally extending,
`inwardly converging, outer surfaces 94 and 96 of the bar
`members 84. Since the outer surfaces 94 and 96 extend
`for substantially the entire length of the die, the tube 22
`is not extruded between the juxtaposed blades of the
`dies to form ridges on the tube which engage and de-
`flect the blades 72. Therefore, the longitudinally extend-
`ing bar members increase the structural rigidity of the
`dies 32 by interconnecting the blades 72 to prevent rela-
`tive movement between the blades and by preventing the
`tube member 22 from being extruded between juxtaposed
`intermeshing blades as the tube is shaped or pointed. It
`will also be apparent that a tube which is shaped or
`pointed, by the dies 32, has a relatively smooth longi-
`tudinally extending outer surface which is substantially
`free from transversely extending ridges of tube material.
`Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 13 in which several
`modified embodiment of the invention are illustrated. In
`these modified forms of the invention, like numerals have
`been -used to designate like parts, with the suffix letter
`a being employed to distinguish the elements associated
`with FIGS. 9 through 12, and the suffix letter b being
`used to distinguish the elements associated with FIG. 13.
`Referring now to FIG. 9, in which a second embodi-
`ment of the forming or pointing «die 32a is illustrated,
`the die 32a includes a longitudinally extending base
`block 70:: from which a plurality of work engaging blades
`or ribs 72a extend. As in the embodiment of the inven-
`tion illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the blades are sepa-
`rated by slots and have inwardly converging work engag-
`ing surfaces 100a and 102a. However, from an inspec-
`tion of FIGS. 9 and 10, it can be seen that the blades
`- 72a are not interconnected by a bar member, as are the
`blades of the embodiment of FIGS.
`1 through 8. Since
`the blades 72a are not interconnected by a bar member,
`the blades can be deflective relative to each other. There-
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`Page 5 of 7
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`Page 5 of 7
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`

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`5
`fore, the die 3222 is intended for shaping or pointing rela-
`tively soft materials, such as aluminum or copper, where-
`in relatively low working stresses occur. The die 32 of the
`embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 8 is intended for use in
`shaping or pointing relatively hard material, such as steel
`tubing, wherein relatively high working stresses occur.
`The die 32a includes a work-engaging projection or
`block 200 which is integrally formed with a forwardmost
`blade 202 of the die 32:2. The block 200 extends forwardly
`from a forwardmost surface 204 of the blade 202 for a
`distance which is substantially the same as the thickness
`of a blade 7222. The block 200 includes a pair o-f inwardly
`converging work—engag1'ng surfaces 206 and 208- which
`are positioned in a coplanar relationship with the work-
`engaging surfaces 10022 and 10222 of the forwardmost
`blade 202. The block 200 terminates at a forwardmost
`surface 212 which extends parallel
`to the forwardmost
`surface 204 of the block 202. The surface 212 is, of
`course, offset longitudinally forwardly from the surface
`204 by a distance which is equal to substantially the thick-
`ness of a blade 7222.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown a pair of
`vertically positioned dies 11221. The dies 11222 are similar
`to the dies 32 and 3222 in all respects, except that the
`vertical pair of dies 112:2 do not have a longitudinally ex-
`tending bar member, as in the embodiment of FIGS.
`1 to 8, or a projecting block 200 similar to the embodi-
`ment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Thus, the vertical
`pair of dies are formed with uniform blades 7221 which
`are interconnected by only the base block 70a from which
`they extend.
`A horizontally disposed pair of dies 116a are formed
`as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The forwardmost rib
`202 of the horizontally positioned pair of dies 116a in-
`cludes the work-engaging projection or block 200. The
`blocks 200 are positioned intermediate forwardmost blades
`of the vertical pair of dies 11222. Since the vertical dies
`11222 are offset relative to the horizontal dies 116a to pro-
`vide an interleafing or intermeshing relationship between
`the two pairs of dies, the blocks 200, which have sub-
`stantially the same thickness as a die blade, project inter-
`mediate the forwardmost blades 7222 of the vertical pair
`of dies 11222. The blocks 200 of the horizontal pair of
`dies 11622 is positioned with an outer surface 212 in sub-
`stantially a coplanar relationship with a forwardmost out-
`er surface of the blades 72a of the dies 11222. Therefore,
`the blocks 200 engage an outer surface of a tube member
`22a to prevent the tube member from being extruded be-
`tween the spaced apart blades 7222 of the vertical pair of
`dies 1122:.
`Referring now to FIG. 12 in which a tube 22a is illus-
`trated, it can be seen that the tube has a generally longi-
`tudinally extending pointed or shaped end portion 5022.
`The longitudinally extending end portion S022 is generally
`cylindrical
`in shape and is continuous outwardly to a
`forwardmost end 218 of the tube. A pair of transversely
`extending generally triangular nibs or flashes 220 have
`been illustrated in an exaggerated form by dashed lines
`adjacent to the forward surface 218 of the tube 20:2. The
`outwardly projecting blocks 200 eliminate the nibs 220 by
`filling the generally triangular shaped area intermediate
`the blades 7222 of the vertical dies 112a. The forwardly
`projecting blocks 200 engage the outer surface of the
`tube 2222 to form a continuous uniform end portion 502:
`on the tube 22a.
`
`A forwardmost end portion of a die 32b is illustrated
`in FIG. 13. The die 32b includes a base block 70b from
`which ribs or blades 72b project. The blades 72b are spaced
`apart by a plurality of slots 82b. The blades 72b are inter-
`connected by a longitudinally extending bar 84b. The bar
`84b is substantially similar to the bar 84 of the embodi-
`ment of FIGS.
`1
`to 8. However, from an inspection of
`FIG. 13, it can be seen that the bar 84b extends forwardly
`of a forwardmost surface 74b of a forwardmost blade 72b.
`A forwardly extending end section 250 of the bar 84b
`
`3,417,598
`
`6
`engages a tube member which is to be shaped in much
`thb same manner as the blocks 200 of the dies 3222 engage
`the tube 22a (see FIG. 11). The forwardly extending bar
`member 84b terminates at a surface 252 which is sub-
`stantially parallel with the forwardmost surface 74b of
`the blades 72b. The forwardmost surface 252 of the bar
`84b is spaced from the surface 74b by a distance which is
`substantially the same as the thickness of a blade 72]).
`Therefore, the forward surface 252 extends in a coplanar
`relationship with a forwardmost surface of a longitudinally
`forwardly offset intermeshing pair of dies in a manner
`similar to that illustrated in FIG. 11 for the pairs of dies
`112:2 and 116a. The end sections 250 eliminate nibs or
`flashes, similar to those illustrated in dashed lines at 220
`of FIG. 12, on a shaped or pointed tube.
`For purposes of affording a more complete understand-
`ing of the invention, it is advantageous now to provide a
`description of the mode in which the component parts
`cooperate. Tubes, similar to the tubes 22, are shaped or
`pointed at an outer or forwardmost end position 50 by
`inserting the tube into a tube pointing machine 20 between
`two pairs of relatively movable dies 32.
`The relatively movable dies 32 will be moved axially
`inwardly to compress the forward end portion of the tube
`as illustrated in FIG. 3. The tube will tend to extrude
`between juxtaposed intermeshing or interleaved blades 72
`of the dies 32. However, by providing a longitudinally ex-
`tending bar member 84 which is mounted in a longi-
`tudinally extending recess in the blades 72, the blades will
`be. fixedly retained against movement relative to each
`other and the tube is prevented from extruding between
`the ribs by the longitudinally extending work surfaces 94
`and 96 of the bar member 84. The forming effect of the
`work surfaces 94 and 96 is particularly apparent during
`the last part of the tube shaping or forming operation
`wherein the surfaces will substantially circumscribe the
`tube and will prevent the forming of radially extending
`ridges on the surface of the tube by extrusion of the tube
`material between the blades (see FIG. 8).
`In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS.
`9 through 13, the longitudinally rearwardly offset dies 116
`are provided with longitudinally extending work engaging
`surfaces or blocks 200 which extend between the longi-
`tudinally forwardly offset dies 112 with which the dies
`116 are intermeshed. The forming blocks or extensions 200
`will engage the outer surface of a tube between the dies
`112 and prevent the formation of flashes or nibs at a for-
`wardmost end of the tube 22 during the shaping process.
`As is illustrated in FIG. 13, it is contemplated that the
`forwardly extending tube working surface could,
`if de-
`sired, be formed by the longitudinally extending bar mem-
`ber 84.
`
`Although the dies 32 have been shown with generally
`V—shaped working surfaces 100 and 102, it will be ap-
`parent to those skilled in the art that the working surfaces
`could have other shapes. It will also be apparent to those
`skilled in the art that the forwardly extending blocks or
`projections 200 could have other cross-sectional shapes.
`In the preferred embodiment of the invention,
`the bar
`member 84 is mounted in notches formed in the blades
`72 in a spaced-apart relationship relative to the base 70
`of the die. It will be apparent that the bar member 84
`could, if desired, be integrally formed with the base 84.
`Therefore, while particular embodiments of the invention
`have been shown, it should be understood, of course, that
`the invention is not limited thereto and it is contemplated
`to cover by the appended claims any such modifications
`as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
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`1. A die for a tube shaping machine, said die in-
`cluding: a plurality of spaced-apart
`rib members ex-
`tending from a base means for engaging a work piece; and
`bar means interconnecting said rib members, said bar
`means retaining said rib members against deflection rela-
`tive to each other.
`
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`Page 6 of 7
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`

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`3,417,598
`8
`7
`said first pair of die means to intermesh with ribs of said
`2. A die as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said bar
`second pair of die means, said second pair of die means
`means has a longitudinally extending surface means for
`including work piece engaging means extending longi
`engaging a work piece as the work piece is formed by
`tudinally forwardly of forwardmost ribs of said second
`the die.
`pair of die means, said work piece engaging means having
`3. A die as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said bar
`a forwardmost transversely extending surface in a sub
`means is centrally positioned relative to said rib mem
`stantially coplanar relationship with a forwardmost rib
`bers with an outer surface of said bar means located in
`surface of said first pair of die means; and a hydraulic
`a coplanar relationship with an outer surface of said rib
`means for moving said plurality of pairs of die means rela
`member.
`tive to each other to shape a tube.
`4. A die as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said bar
`13. A machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein: said
`means extends longitudinally outwardly of an end por
`work piece engaging means is integrally formed with the
`tion of said die.
`forwardmost ribs of said second pair of die means.
`5. A die as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said rib
`members have diverging outwardly extending upper sur
`14. A machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein: said
`work piece engaging means includes bar means associated
`faces, and said bar means is positioned with a longi
`with each die means of said second pair of die means
`tudinal axis parallel to a line of intersection of said sur
`and said bar means extends longitudinally for substantial
`faces.
`ly the entire length of said second pair of die means.
`6. A die as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said bar
`15. A tube shaping machine as set forth in claim 12
`means has an outer surface means which is outwardly
`wherein: said hydraulic means moves said plurality of
`divergent and has longitudinally extending end portions
`pairs of die means from a first relatively spaced-apart
`which are coplanar with the upper surfaces of said rib
`position to a second position in which the forwardmost
`members.
`ribs of said first pair of die means is adjacent to said
`7. A die as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said bar means
`work piece engaging means extending from the foremost
`is positioned in an outwardly opening recess means formed
`ribs of said second pair of die means, with said plurality
`in said rib members.
`of pairs of die means substantially circumscribing an end
`8. A die as set forth in claim 7 wherein: a series of
`portion of a tube when said second pair of die means is
`recesses are formed in said bar means to engage said rib
`in said second position.
`members.
`16. A die for a tube shaping machine, said die includ
`9. A tube shaping machine including: a housing means;
`ing: a plurality of spaced-apart rib member extending
`a plurality of die means mounted in said housing means,
`from a base section, said rib members having an outer
`each of said die means including a plurality of rib means
`Surface means for engaging a work piece, and a work
`extending outwardly from a base means and a bar mem
`piece engaging extension means projecting longitudinally
`ber interconnecting said rib means; and a hydraulic means
`for moving said die means from a first relatively spaced
`outwardly from an outermost rib, said extension means
`having an outer surface means which is subsequentlly
`apart position to a second position in which the rib
`coplanar with the outer surface means of said rib
`means associated with adjacent die means are interleaved
`and the bar members are positioned adjacent to each
`members.
`other, said die means being moved from said first position
`17. A die as set forth in claim 16 wherein: said ex
`tension means is integrally formed with said outermost
`to said second position to shape a tube.
`rib and said outermost rib has a thickness which is sub
`10. A machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein; said
`stantially equal to the distance which said extension
`bar members substantially circumscribe a longtiudinally
`means projects outwardly relative to said outermost rib.
`extending portion of the tube when said die means is in
`said second position.
`References Cited
`11. A machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein: said
`plurality of die means are positioned in the machine with
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`transversely extending end planes of said bar members
`3,154,978 11/1964 Baker -------------- 72–402
`in a substantially coplanar relationship with each other,
`3,228,228
`1/1966 Myotte --------------- 72—402
`said bar member being positioned to engage a tube with
`3,245,247
`4/1966 Valente ------------------- 72–402
`the transversely extending end planes of the bar mem
`50
`ber adjacent to an outermost end of the tube.
`CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.
`12. A tube shaping machine comprising: a housing
`R. D. GREFE, Assistant Examiner.
`means; a plurality of pairs of die means mounted in said
`housing means, said die means including a plurality of
`U.S. C?, X.R.
`ribs extending outwardly from a base, a first pair of said
`die means being longitudinally forwardly offset relative
`to a second pair of said die means to enable the ribs of
`
`72—385, 402, 469
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
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`40
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`45
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`55
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`Page 7 of 7