Active back gauge system for adjusting position of a piece of sheet material in a bending brake, and kit

Abstract

A back gauge system is provided for actively adjusting position of a piece of sheet material in a sheet metal bending brake to a predetermined distance from a bending edge for performing a bend in accordance with a predetermined bending line. The back gauge system includes a frame connected to the sheet metal bending brake, a linear displacement assembly configured to move a stopper supporting the leading edge of the piece of sheet material, and a controlling system communicably connected to the linear displacement assembly to modify the position of the stopper along a traveling axis. A conversion kit assembly is also provided to retrofit an existing sheet metal bending brake not equipped with the back gauge system. The conversion kit comprises the back gauge system disclosed herein and optionally a cavity guide to support the sheet metal and prevent sagging thereof during operation of the back gauge system.

1 . An active back gauge system for a sheet metal bending brake, the sheet metal bending brake including:
 a structure;   a C-shaped frame supported by the structure, and having an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a cavity configured to receive a portion of a piece of sheet material,   the lower portion including a lower clamping member defining a lower clamping surface, the lower clamping member being immobile relative to the lower portion,   the upper portion including an upper clamping member defining an upper clamping surface, the upper clamping member being pivotable relative to the upper portion and selectively movable relative to the lower portion from a raised position to a lowered position,   the upper and lower clamping surfaces defining a bending edge,   the piece of sheet material being insertable between the upper and lower clamping surfaces when the upper clamping member is in the raised position, and clamped between the upper and lower clamping surfaces when the upper clamping member is in the lowered position; and   a bending member pivotally connected to the lower portion of the C-shaped frame and selectively pivotable about the bending edge to bend the piece of sheet material toward the upper clamping member when the upper clamping member is in the lowered position;   
       the active back gauge system comprising:
 a frame connected to the sheet metal bending brake and parallel to the C-shaped frame; 
 a linear displacement assembly configured to move a stopper along a traveling axis and defining an abutment surface configured to support the leading edge of the piece of sheet material; and 
 a controlling system communicably connected to the linear displacement assembly to modify the position of the stopper along the traveling axis to a distance from the bending edge corresponding to a predetermined bending line of a bend to be performed on the piece of sheet material. 
 
     
     
         2 . The active back gauge system of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity of the C-shaped frame defines a bending capacity of the sheet metal bending brake, and wherein the active back gauge system is configured and shaped to maintain the bending capacity of the sheet metal bending brake. 
     
     
         3 . The active back gauge system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet metal bending brake defines an overall length and an overall width, and wherein the active back gauge system is comprised within the overall length and overall width of the sheet metal bending brake. 
     
     
         4 . The active back gauge system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet metal bending brake defines an overall length and an overall width, and wherein the active back gauge system is majoritarily comprised within the overall length and partially extends beyond the overall width of the sheet metal bending brake of a width offset. 
     
     
         5 . The active back gauge system of  claim 4 , wherein an offset ratio defined by the width offset over the overall width of the sheet metal bending brake is equal or less than  0 . 3 . 
     
     
         6 . The active back gauge system of  claim 1 , wherein the linear displacement assembly includes a motor operatively connected to a linear driver driving a carriage carrying the stopper along the traveling axis. 
     
     
         7 . The active back gauge system of  claim 6 , wherein the linear driver is one of a lead screw, a belt and drive assembly, a rack and pinion assembly, a piston assembly, and a ballscrew assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The active back gauge system of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper is adapted to extend toward and adjacent to a rearwardmost edge of the lower clamping surface of the sheet metal bending brake when the stopper is in a forwardmost position along the traveling axis. 
     
     
         9 . The active back gauge system of  claim 1 , wherein the active back gauge system is connected to the structure of the sheet metal bending brake. 
     
     
         10 . The active back gauge system of  claim 1 , wherein the active back gauge system is connected to the C-shaped frame. 
     
     
         11 . The active back gauge system of  claim 1 , wherein the active back gauge system is majoritarily comprised below a plane defined by the lower clamping surface of the C-shaped frame, except for a portion of the stopper extending above the plane. 
     
     
         12 . The active back gauge system of  claim 1 , wherein the controlling system includes a controller unit, a user interface, and a power source configured to selectively operate the active back gauge system in accordance with predetermined instructions. 
     
     
         13 . A sheet metal bending brake including the active back gauge system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The sheet metal bending brake of  claim 13 , wherein the sheet metal bending brake is a portable sheet metal bending brake. 
     
     
         15 . The sheet metal bending brake of  claim 13 , wherein the sheet metal bending brake is a model from InnovaTools Inc. or Van Mark Product Corp. 
     
     
         16 . A conversion kit for automatically adjusting position of a piece of sheet material in a sheet metal bending brake to a predetermined distance from a bending edge for performing a bend in accordance with a predetermined bending line, the conversion kit comprising:
 a frame connectable to the sheet metal bending brake;   a linear displacement assembly;   a stopper; and   a controlling system.   
     
     
         17 . The conversion kit of  claim 16 , wherein the stopper is specifically designed and adapted to fit on a model of sheet metal bending brake to which the conversion kit is connected. 
     
     
         18 . The conversion kit of  claim 16 , wherein the conversion kit, once assembled and connected to the sheet metal bending brake, forms an active back gauge system that is comprised within an overall width of the sheet metal bending brake. 
     
     
         19 . The conversion kit of  claim 16 , wherein the conversion kit, once assembled and connected to the sheet metal bending brake, forms an active back gauge system that is majoritarily comprised below a clamping surface of the sheet metal bending brake, except for a portion of the stopper extending above the clamping surface. 
     
     
         20 . The conversion kit of  claim 16 , wherein the conversion kit further comprises a cavity guide for guiding the leading edge of the piece of sheet material and preventing excessive sagging of the piece of sheet material in the cavity.