Sheet metal brake and hinge mechanism therefor

Abstract

A bending brake assembly for manually bending pieces of sheet metal material including a base ( 20 ) supporting a plurality of c-shaped members ( 22 ). Each c-shaped member ( 22 ) presents opposing clamping surfaces ( 24 ) for receiving a sheet metal material between the clamping surfaces ( 24 ). The assembly also includes a bending member ( 26 ) and a socket connection ( 28 ) rotatably supporting the bending member ( 26 ) on the base ( 20 ) for bending a piece of sheet metal material disposed between the clamping surfaces ( 24 ). The socket connection ( 28 ) includes a male portion ( 30 ) and a female portion ( 32 ) in sliding engagement with one another. A bearing strip ( 34 ) is sandwiched between the male portion ( 30 ) and the female portion ( 32 ) for facilitating relative movement between the male portion ( 30 ) and the female portion ( 32 ).

1 . A bending brake assembly for manually bending pieces of sheet metal material comprising: 
 a base ( 20 ),    a plurality of generally c-shaped members ( 22 ) supported by said base ( 20 ) and each presenting opposing clamping surfaces ( 24 ) for receiving a sheet of material between said clamping surfaces ( 24 ),    a bending member ( 26 ),    a socket connection ( 28 ) rotatably supporting said bending member ( 26 ) on said base ( 20 ) for bending a piece of sheet metal material disposed between said clamping surfaces ( 24 ),    said socket connection ( 28 ) including a male portion ( 30 ) and a female portion ( 32 ) in sliding engagement with one another, and    characterized by a bearing strip ( 34 ) being sandwiched between said male portion ( 30 ) and said female portion ( 32 ) for facilitating relative movement between said male portion ( 30 ) and said female portion ( 32 ).    
   
   
       2 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 1  including a first mechanical connection ( 36 ) connecting said bearing strip ( 34 ) to one of said male portion ( 30 ) and said female portion ( 32 ).  
   
   
       3 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said first mechanical connection ( 36 ) includes a projection ( 38 ) and a recess ( 40 ) for securing said bearing strip ( 34 ) to one of said portions ( 30 ,  32 ).  
   
   
       4 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said female portion ( 30 ) and said male portion ( 30 ) are arcuate and said bearing strip ( 34 ) is arcuate and complementary to said portions ( 30 ,  32 ).  
   
   
       5 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said male portion ( 30 ) presents an arcuate upper surface ( 42 ) and said base ( 20 ) includes a pocket ( 44 ) defining a fulcrum engaging said upper surface ( 42 ) of said male portion ( 30 ) for guiding arcuate movement of said bending member ( 26 ) as said arcuate male portion ( 30 ) slides along said bearing strip ( 34 ).  
   
   
       6 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said male portion ( 30 ) presents a slanted corner ( 46 ) for bending the sheet metal material.  
   
   
       7 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 6  including a rubber strip ( 48 ) secured to said slanted corner ( 46 ) for preventing damage to the sheet metal material.  
   
   
       8 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 7  including a finger ( 56 ) extending from a distal end ( 58 ) of said male portion ( 30 ) for engaging said pocket ( 44 ) to limit movement of said male portion ( 30 ) into said pocket ( 44 ) in a pre-bending position of said bending member ( 26 ).  
   
   
       9 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 8  including a second mechanical connection ( 50 ) connecting said rubber strip ( 48 ) to said male portion ( 30 )  
   
   
       10 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said second mechanical connection ( 50 ) includes a protrusion ( 52 ) and a nook ( 54 ) for securing said rubber strip ( 48 ) to said male portion ( 30 ).