Sheet metal bending brake

Abstract

A sheet metal bending brake includes a frame having both a stationary portion as well as a clamping jaw. The stationary portion is adapted to support a piece of sheet metal on a planar support surface while the clamping jaw is movably mounted relative to the stationary portion of the frame to selectively clamp a piece of sheet metal between the clamping jaw and the stationary portion of the frame. An elongated bending arm is pivotally mounted to the frame about a first axis and movable between a first and a second position. An elongated sleeve is pivotally mounted to the bending arm about a second axis which is parallel to but spaced from the first axis. The bending sleeve and frame each have coacting surfaces so that the sleeve automatically pivots between a first and second position relative to the bending arm as the bending arm is pivoted between its first and second position relative to the frame during a bending operation.

1 . A sheet metal bending brake comprising: 
 a frame adapted to support a piece of sheet metal,    a clamping jaw movable relative to the frame to clamp the sheet metal between the clamping jaw and the frame,    an elongated bending arm pivotally mounted to said frame about a first axis and movable between a first and second position,    an elongated sleeve pivotally mounted to said bending arm about a second axis parallel to and spaced from said first axis,    said bending sleeve and said frame having coacting surfaces so that said sleeve automatically pivots between a first and second position relative to said bending arm as said bending arm is pivoted between its first and second position relative to said frame.    
     
     
         2 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is made of plastic.  
     
     
         3 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame comprises an elongated edge parallel to said first axis.  
     
     
         4 . The invention as defined in  claim 3  wherein said frame comprises a ledge protruding outwardly from said edge, said ledge forming said coacting surface on said frame.  
     
     
         5 . The invention as defined in  claim 4  wherein said second axis is spaced outwardly from a free edge of said ledge.  
     
     
         6 . The invention as defined in  claim 5  wherein said sleeve comprises a portion extending from said second axis toward said frame edge, said coacting surface on said sleeve being positioned adjacent a free edge of said sleeve.  
     
     
         7 . The invention as defined in  claim 6  wherein said sleeve portion is dimensioned so that said coacting surfaces on said frame and said sleeve separate from each other at an intermediate position between said first and second positions of said bending arm.