Tube bending apparatus

Abstract

A portable bending apparatus includes a frame, a major gear, a forming member, a workpiece guide and a gear mechanism. The major gear is mounted rotatably to the frame about a bending axis. The forming member is carried on a front side face of the major gear, the forming member having an arcuate forming surface and a restraint. The workpiece guide is mounted to the frame. The gear mechanism has an input connected to a geartrain connected to an output gear, the geartrain providing a speed reduction between the input and the output gear. The input is configured to receive rotary input from a handheld motorized driver, such as a portable drill. The output gear is enmesh with gear teeth of the major gear. When a workpiece to be bent is placed on the tube guide and within the restraint and against the forming surface, and the input receives rotary motion from the handheld motorized driver, the restraint and the forming surface are driven to orbit about the bending axis and the forming surface bends the workpiece braced between the restraint and the workpiece guide.

1 . A portable bending apparatus for bending tubes, comprising:
 a frame;   a major gear mounted rotatably to said frame about a bending axis, said major gear having gear teeth on an outer perimeter thereof;   a forming member carried on a front side of said major gear, said forming member having an arcuate forming surface and a restraint;   a tube guide mounted to said frame;   a gear mechanism having an input connected to a geartrain connected to an output gear, said geartrain providing a speed reduction between the input and the output gear, wherein said input is configured to receive rotary input from a motor;   said output gear enmesh with said gear teeth of said major gear; and   wherein when a tube to be bent is placed on said tube guide and within said restraint and against said forming surface and when said input receives rotary motion from a motor, said restraint and said forming surface are driven to orbit about said bending axis and said forming surface bends said tube between said restraint and said tube guide.   
   
   
       2 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame comprises a base bar, a vertical column, and an angular brace, said vertical column fixed at a base end to said base bar and at an elevated end to said gear mechanism support plate, said angular brace fixed at a base end to said base bar and at an elevated end to said vertical column, said tube guide mounted to said base bar. 
   
   
       3 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a strut attached to said frame and extending to a position to engage a body of said motor to resist torque. 
   
   
       4 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said strut includes a U-shaped end configured to engage a handle of said motor. 
   
   
       5 . A portable bending apparatus for bending workpieces, comprising:
 a frame;   a major gear mounted rotatably to said frame about a bending axis, said major gear having gear teeth on an outer perimeter thereof;   a forming member carried on a front side of said major gear, said forming member having an arcuate forming surface and a restraint;   a gear mechanism having an input connected to a geartrain connected to an output gear, said geartrain providing a speed reduction between the input and the output gear, wherein said input is configured to receive rotary input from a motor;   said output gear enmesh with said gear teeth of said major gear; and   wherein when a workpiece to be bent is placed within said restraint and against said forming surface and said workpiece is restrained at a reaction force position located along said workpiece on a side of said forming surface opposite said restraint and said input receives rotary motion from a motor, said restraint and said forming surface are driven to orbit about said bending axis and said forming surface bends said workpiece between said reaction force position and said restraint.   
   
   
       6 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said frame comprises a base bar, a vertical column, and an angular brace, said vertical column fixed at a base end to said base bar and at an elevated end to said gear mechanism support plate, said angular brace fixed at a base end to said base bar and at an elevated end to said vertical column. 
   
   
       7 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said workpiece comprises a tube and said apparatus comprises a tube guide at said reaction force position, mounted to said frame. 
   
   
       8 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a strut attached to said frame and extending to a position to engage a body of said motor to resist torque. 
   
   
       9 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said strut includes a U-shaped end configured to engage a handle of said motor. 
   
   
       10 . A portable bending apparatus for bending workpieces, comprising:
 a frame;   a major gear mounted rotatably to said frame about a bending axis, said major gear having gear teeth on an outer perimeter thereof;   a forming member fixed to a front side of said major gear, said forming member having an arcuate forming surface and a restraint;   a gear mechanism having an input shaft connected to a geartrain connected to an output gear, said geartrain providing a speed reduction between the input shaft and the output gear, wherein said input shaft is configured to receive rotary input from a portable handheld motorized drill;   a portable handheld motorized drill having a chuck to engage said input shaft;   said output gear enmesh with said gear teeth of said major gear; and   wherein when a workpiece to be bent is placed within said restraint and against said forming surface and said workpiece is restrained at a reaction force position located along said workpiece on a side of said forming surface opposite said restraint and said input receives rotary motion from a handheld motorized drill, said restraint and said forming surface are driven to orbit about said bending axis and said forming surface bends said workpiece between said reaction force position and said restraint.   
   
   
       11 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said frame comprises a base bar, a vertical column, and an angular brace, said vertical column fixed at a base end to said base bar and at an elevated end to said gear mechanism support plate, said angular brace fixed at a base end to said base bar and at an elevated end to said vertical column. 
   
   
       12 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said workpiece comprises a tube and said apparatus comprises a tube guide at said reaction force position, mounted to said frame. 
   
   
       13 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a strut attached to said frame and extending to a position to engage a handle of said drill to resist reaction torque. 
   
   
       14 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said strut includes a hook end configured to engage a handle of said drill. 
   
   
       15 . The portable bending apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said frame comprises a base bar, a vertical column, and an angular brace, said vertical column fixed at a base end to said base bar and at an elevated end to said gear mechanism support plate, said angular brace fixed at a base end to said base bar and at an elevated end to said vertical column and where said base bar comprises a clamp mechanism to secure said frame to external structure.