Sheet metal bending brake

Abstract

A bending brake assembly for manually bending pieces of sheet metal material including a base supporting a plurality of c-shaped members presenting opposing clamping surfaces for receiving the sheet metal material. An extension extends away from the clamping surfaces with a socket connection rotatably supporting a bending member on the base for bending the sheet metal material disposed between the clamping surfaces. The socket connection includes a male portion and a female portion in sliding engagement with one another as the bending member moves between a pre-bending position, a first operating position, and a second operating position. A finger extends from the male portion and defines a gap between the finger and the extension when in the pre-bending position with the finger maintaining the gap as the finger moves from the pre-bending position to the first operating position and the finger engaging the extension when in the second operating position.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 18  including a first mechanical connection connecting said bearing strip to one of said male portion and said female portion. 
     
     
         3 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said first mechanical connection includes a projection and a recess for securing said bearing strip to one of said portions. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said male portion presents a slanted corner for bending the sheet metal material. 
     
     
         7 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 6  including a rubber strip secured to said slanted corner and abutting said extension when in said pre-bending position for preventing damage to the sheet metal material as said bending member moves between said first and second operating positions. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 7  including a second mechanical connection connecting said rubber strip to said male portion. 
     
     
         10 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said second mechanical connection includes a protrusion and a nook for securing said rubber strip to said male portion. 
     
     
         11 . A bending brake assembly for manually bending pieces of sheet metal material comprising:
 a base;   a plurality of members coupled to said base and each presenting a clamping surface for receiving the sheet metal material;   an extension extending away from said clamping surfaces;   a bending member movable between a pre-bending position, a first operating position, and a second operating position;   a male portion extending from said bending member;   a female portion receiving said male portion such that said male portion moves relative to said female portion; and   a finger extending from said male portion and defining a gap between said finger and said extension when in said pre-bending position with said finger maintaining said gap as said finger moves from said pre-bending position to said first operating position and said finger engaging said extension when in said second operating position.   
     
     
         12 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said male portion includes a distal end with said finger extending from said distal end such that said gap reduces size as said distal end and said finger move from said pre-bending position to said first operating position. 
     
     
         13 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said extension extends to a distal end surface for engaging said finger when in said second operating position. 
     
     
         14 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said finger includes an engagement surface configured to complement said distal end surface for maintaining engagement between said finger and said extension when in said second operating position. 
     
     
         15 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said base includes an inner surface defining a pocket for receiving said male portion, said distal end and said finger with said male portion, said distal end and said finger complementary in configuration to said inner surface such that said distal end and said finger abut said inner surface when in said pre-bending position for limiting movement of said male portion into said pocket with said distal end and said finger spaced from said inner surface when in said first and second operating positions. 
     
     
         16 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said finger and said distal end include an outer surface abutting said inner surface when in said pre-bending position with said outer surface spaced from said inner surface when in said first and second operating positions. 
     
     
         17 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said male portion presents an arcuate upper surface adjacent to said outer surface of said distal end and engaging said inner surface of said base when in said pre-bending position for guiding arcuate movement of said bending member as said male portion slides relative to said female portion. 
     
     
         18 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 11  including a bearing strip being sandwiched between said male and female portions for preventing direct engagement between said male and female portions. 
     
     
         19 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said members are further defined as generally c-shaped members each presenting said opposing clamping surfaces. 
     
     
         20 . A bending brake assembly for manually bending pieces of sheet metal material comprising:
 a base;   a plurality of members coupled to said base and each presenting an opposing clamping surface for receiving the sheet metal material;   an extension extending away from said clamping surfaces;   a bending member movable between a pre-bending position, a first operating position, and a second operating position;   a male portion coupled to said bending member;   a female portion receiving said male portion with said male portion movable relative to said female portion as said bending member moves between said pre-bending position, said first operating position and said second operating position; and   a finger extending from said male portion and defining a gap between said finger and said extension when in said pre-bending position with said finger maintaining said gap as said finger moves from said pre-bending position to said first operating position and said finger engaging said extension when in said second operating position.   
     
     
         21 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 20  including a bearing strip being sandwiched between said male and female portions for preventing direct engagement between said male and female portions. 
     
     
         22 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 21  including a first mechanical connection presenting a projection and a recess for securing said bearing strip to one of said male and female portions. 
     
     
         23 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said male portion presents a slanted corner for bending the sheet metal material and further including a rubber strip secured to said slanted corner and abutting said extension when in said pre-bending position for preventing damage to the sheet metal material as said bending member moves between said first and second operating positions. 
     
     
         24 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 23  including a second mechanical connection presenting a protrusion and a nook for securing said rubber strip to said male portion. 
     
     
         25 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said male portion includes a distal end with said finger extending from said distal end such that said gap reduces size as said distal end and said finger move from said pre-bending position to said first operating position. 
     
     
         26 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said extension extends to a distal end surface for engaging said finger when in said second operating position. 
     
     
         27 . A bending brake assembly as set forth in  claim 26  wherein said finger includes an engagement surface configured to complement said distal end surface for maintaining engagement between said finger and said extension when in said second operating position.