Split die tube bending apparatus

Abstract

A tube bending apparatus having an interior bending die about which a tubular segment having fittings on each end that would normally preclude bending to approximately 180 degrees is bent, the interior bending die being separable into two portions along the bending plane, such that the die can be split to release the bent tubular member.

1 . In a tube bending apparatus comprising an interior bending die about which a tube is bent within a bending plane, the improvement comprising said interior bending die being a split die, such that said interior bending die can be separated in the direction perpendicular to said bending plane to release said tube.  
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said interior bending die comprises divided portions, each said divided portion mounted onto a shaft.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said interior bending die further comprises a tube-receiving channel substantially semi-circular in the direction perpendicular to said bending plane.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said tube-receiving channel is annular.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , said tube bending apparatus further comprising an exterior bending die, wherein said interior bending die cooperates with said exterior bending die during the bending operation.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , said tube bending apparatus further comprising an exterior bending die comprising a tube-receiving channel substantially semi-circular in the direction perpendicular to said bending plane, wherein said interior bending die cooperates with said exterior bending die during the bending operation such that the combination of said exterior bending die tube-receiving channel and said interior bending die tube-receiving channel completely encircles said tube.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising means to secure and align said divided portions of said interior bending die to each other.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said securing and aligning means comprises an insert member disposed in one of said divided portions and an insert cavity disposed in the other of said divided portions, said insert member being received by said insert cavity when said divided portions are adjoining.  
   
   
       9 . A tube bending apparatus comprising an interior bending die about which a tube is bent within a bending plane, said interior bending die comprising a tube-receiving channel, the improvement comprising said interior bending die being a split die, such that said interior bending die can be separated into divided portions in the direction perpendicular to said bending plane to release said tube.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each said divided portion is mounted onto a shaft.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said tube-receiving channel is substantially semi-circular in the direction perpendicular to said bending plane.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each said divided portion comprises a portion of said tube-receiving channel.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said tube-receiving channel is annular.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , said tube bending apparatus further comprising an exterior bending die, wherein said interior bending die cooperates with said exterior bending die during the bending operation.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , said tube bending apparatus further comprising an exterior bending die comprising a tube-receiving channel substantially semi-circular in the direction perpendicular to said bending plane, said interior bending die further comprising a tube-receiving channel substantially semi-circular in the direction perpendicular to said bending plane, wherein said interior bending die cooperates with said exterior bending die during the bending operation such that the combination of said exterior bending die tube-receiving channel and said interior bending die tube-receiving channel completely encircles said tube.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising means to secure and align said divided portions of said interior bending die to each other.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said securing and aligning means comprises an insert member disposed in one of said divided portions and an insert cavity disposed in the other of said divided portions, said insert member being received by said insert cavity when said divided portions are adjoining.  
   
   
       18 . A tube-bending die comprising a tube-receiving channel and a pair of flanges, wherein said tube-bending die can be separated into two divided portions, each divided portion comprising one of said flanges and a portion of said tube-receiving channel, wherein said tube-bending die is mounted onto a shaft, and wherein at least one of said divided portions can be moved axially on said shaft to release a tube.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said tube-receiving channel is substantially semi-circular in the direction perpendicular to said bending plane.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising means to secure and align said divided portions of said tube-bending die to each other, said securing and aligning means comprising an insert member disposed in one of said divided portions and an insert cavity disposed in the other of said divided portions, said insert member being received by said insert cavity when said divided portions are adjoining.