EP0461100B2 - Method and apparatus for bending hollow spacer frames for isolating glass - Google Patents

Abstract

When bending a hollow profile strip (53) into a spacer frame for panes of insulating glass, the hollow profile strip (53) is advanced by a gripper (52) displaceable by certain distances in the feed direction of the hollow profile strip (53) to an extent such that the section of the hollow profile strip (53) to be bent in each particular case is aligned relative to a bending abutment (20). During the bending operations, which are carried out with a bending lever (62), the hollow profile strip (53) is held by the jaws (3, 4) of the bending head and the gripper (52) moves back into its starting position. After the last advance of the hollow profile strip (53), it is cut off from the hollow profile strip (53) fed in and only then is the last bending operation carried out. During the production of the spacer frame, the hollow profile strip (53) is held continuously, either by the gripper (52) or by the jaws (3, 4) of the bending head. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method for bending from hollow profile strips to spacer frames for insulating glass panes.

Devices for bending hollow profile strips to spacer frames are for example from the DE-GM 87 05 796.4 or DE-OS 32 21 986 known. In these known devices, the Length of the profile bar protruding beyond the bending point (Hollow profile strip) can be determined so that the Spacer frames with the desired dimensions is obtained.

The known bending devices for manufacturing a spacer frame for insulating glass panes determine the length of the profile bar Path measurement via incremental encoder.

As a rule, the hollow profile strip is attached to it transport rollers lying on both sides moved by which is driven at least one. On the outside Wall of the hollow profile strip transported in this way rolls an impeller (encoder wheel), which over the axis or other drive with an incremental encoder is non-positively connected.

The encoder wheel, which is on the outer wall rolls along the hollow profile bar, detects the feed the hollow profile strip.

A disadvantage with these devices is there too see that the friction between the encoder wheel and the hollow profile strip is uneven and so one more or less large slip results. Different surface sections of the Hollow profile strip that is smooth, rough or even residues, such as dust or metal shavings Incorrect measurements by the incremental encoder, especially if the hollow profile strip during the Measurement movement is stopped or to the encoder wheel just pulls in.

Devices for bending are also known of hollow profile strips, especially for bending Hollow profile strips for spacer frames for insulating glass panes, with two on the side faces of the to bending hollow profile bar attachable jaws, one Abutment around which the hollow profile strip is bent and a bending lever opposite the abutment can be pivoted to carry out the bending work is.

Such bending devices, in part as possible sharp-edged bends in the hollow profile strips are intended to result in different embodiments known. For example, on the DE-PS 32 23 881, DE-GM 87 05 796 or the US-PS 4,836,005.

Made in one piece with bent corners Spacer frames and devices for manufacturing the same are from FR-PS 2 449 222 and DE-OS 32 21 986 known. It is still to refer to DE-OS 33 12 764, from which it is known is, hollow profile strips to spacer frames bend for insulating glass panes, being in the area the bending point from the inside against the hollow profile strip attachable mandrel is provided. The bending is done by swiveling one cheek, the other End of the profile bar between a movable Jaw and one from the inside of the Profile bar abutting abutment is clamped.

A problem with the known bending devices is that for use with insulating glass panes required sharp-edged turns in the area of the corners of the spacer frame cannot always be easily reached because partly there is a risk that the walls of the hollow profile strip tear during the bending process and the side surfaces the hollow profile strips in the corner area, i.e. not always flat where they have been bent run, but have corrugations that the subsequent processing of the spacer frame, especially the coating of its side surfaces difficult with sealant or adhesive and hinder.

DE-AS 21 28 717 describes a method for Apply a metallic spacer to the Slice edges of one of the rectangular glass plates an insulating glazing known in which the spacer as a continuous strip with a parallel disc Surface of a first pane edge the horizontally lying glass plate and then attached to this surface as well as the continuous spacer on one disk-parallel surface of the next disk edge brought into contact and then on this surface is fixed, whereupon the consequence of the previous Steps in the following Disc edges are repeated, followed by the spacer is cut off and its ends joined together will. This is how this procedure works proceeded that the glass plate after attaching of the spacer on one edge of the pane, however before pivoting, parallel to this Edge of the pane by a length corresponding to it Route is moved. The pivoting of the Glass plate takes place around a fixed Swivel axis, with the spacer around this pivot axis is bent. The Spacers initially only over part of the length of the first edge of the pane and the spacer after its attachment to the disc parallel Area of the last pane edge with er cut off a supernatant. Only then will the protruding part around the pivot axis of the glass pane bent by 90 ° and attached to the glass pane.

AT-PS 360 311 is the bending of spacer frames from one to the required length cut hollow profile known. The AT-PS 360 311 is no indication that the hollow profile strip only after bending three Corners of the spacer frame to be manufactured cut from the supplied hollow profile strip shall be.

EP-A-318 748 discloses a bending device described, primarily on the design a bending tool is referred to.

The clamping device for detecting the before Bending area of the section of the hollow profile strip is not in the feed direction in EP-A-318 748 the hollow profile strip is movable. It therefore serves also not for conveying the hollow profile bar. Special Measures or devices for advancement the hollow profile strip between the bending processes are also not mentioned in EP-A-318 748 like the measure, the hollow profile strip only after the third bending process from the supplied hollow profile bar cut off.

The bending device described in EP-B-249 946 bends two corners out of one at a time already cut to length. From EP-B-249 946 is the deflection of the ends the hollow profile strip from the bending plane itself known. The bending process of EP-B-249 946 but deviates from the method mentioned at the beginning since the latter does not have two corners at the same time getting produced.

The object of the invention is to provide a method for To make available, during which transport the length of the hollow profile strip in a bending device the advance of the hollow profile strip exactly and without Tolerances is measurable.

This task is solved with the characteristics of claim 1.

In the method according to the invention hollow profile strip to be bent to the spacer frame before each bending process by the gripper advanced the required distance, e.g. the corresponds to the respective leg of the spacer frame. If the length of the leg is greater than the maximum stroke of the gripper, the profile bar is in two or at most more than two steps forward. It can be done in such a way that the first stroke or strokes of a given one Length (for example, the maximum stroke) of the Feed device match and the last stroke adapted to the required length of the frame leg becomes. If when executing the invention The procedure is such that the Bend the last corner of the previously bent section the hollow profile strip and / or the front end the supplied hollow profile strip from the bending plane is deflected, then neither hinders the supplied Hollow profile strip still at the bending point section located to the spacer frame curved hollow profile bar the bending of the last Corner.

In the invention is done so that the feed the hollow profile strip before bending the first Corner around a predetermined piece is smaller than that dimension measured in this direction Spacer frame, and that the Hollow profile strip before the last bending process in one Distance from the bending point to the feed point Hollow profile strip is separated, which is the length of the predetermined piece. So can the hollow profile strip when bending the last corner are kept safe.

Usually you will work so that the bent Sections of the hollow profile strip on one Support surface.

The advance is accurate because of the hollow profile strip during the movement of the feed device in their starting position in the area of the bending point is held.

The invention also relates to a device for Carrying out the method according to the invention, the is characterized according to the invention by the features of claim 4.

In a practical embodiment of the device with a clamp for the hollow profile strip, the to change the mutual distance relative has mutually movable jaws, to the side surfaces of the hollow profile bar to be bent can be put on, between the jaws a support for the hollow profile strip to be bent is provided with one assigned to the terminal Abutment around which the hollow profile strip is bent and that during the bending process against the later the surface of the hollow profile strip forming the inner corner is present, and with one opposite the clamp pivotable to carry out the bending process Bending lever, the one above the terminal Section of the hollow profile strip can be applied provided according to the invention that the abutment is held on a carrier which is both in or parallel to the plane of symmetry of the clamp as well as perpendicular to move away to this plane of symmetry the abutment is adjustable from the bending plane.

Advantageous further embodiments and design options the device according to the invention are the subject of subclaims 6 to 25th

Fig. 1 eine Vorrichtung zum Biegen von Hohlprofilleisten zu Abstandhalterrahmen,

Fig. 2 die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 3 einen Biegekopf in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 4 einen Biegekopf von links der Fig. 3 aus gesehen,

Fig. 5 eine Draufsicht auf den Biegekopf,

Fig. 6 eine Einzelhelt des Biegekopfes im Bereich des Biegewiderlagers,

Fig. 7 eine weitere Einzelheit des Biegekopfes im Bereich des Biegewiderlagers,

Fig. 8 eine vergrößerte Einzelheit im Bereich des Biegewiderlagers,

Fig. 9 schematisch einzelne Stufen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens und

Fig. 10 eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines Greifers für den Vorschub von Hohlprofilleisten.

Further details and features of the device and the method of the invention and advantages achieved therefrom result from the following description of embodiments shown in the drawings. It shows:

1 shows a device for bending hollow profile strips into spacer frames,

2 shows the device from FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale,

3 a bending head in side view,

4 seen a bending head from the left of FIG. 3,

5 is a plan view of the bending head,

6 shows a single part of the bending head in the area of the bending abutment,

7 shows a further detail of the bending head in the area of the bending abutment,

8 is an enlarged detail in the area of the bending abutment,

9 schematically shows individual stages of the method according to the invention and

Fig. 10 shows a preferred embodiment of a gripper for the advance of hollow profile strips.

A hollow profile bar 53 is on a conveyor track 54, which is arranged at the lower end of a support wall 60 is up to a stop 57 in the area of Bending point with a bending abutment 58 and one Bending lever 59 transported.

The one over the bending point 58/59 - as below described - transported section 53 'of the Hollow profile bar 53 is in contact with the support wall 60 from the bending lever 59 around an abutment 58 bent. The bending point preferably has that Construction described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.

The device can, for example have the structure known from DE-GM 87 05 796 and have a support finger (Fig. 9), such as it is also provided in the known device.

The device shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 for Bending hollow profile strips 53 consists of a Terminal 2 with a stationary jaw 3 and one compared to this movable jaw 4 (in 3, the jaw 4 is not shown). The moveable Clamping jaw 4 is over guide pins 5 and 6, which are arranged in pairs in the direction of the double arrow 7 displaceable, so that the mouth width the clamp 2 to the width of the hollow profile bar to be bent 53 can be adjusted.

To actuate the movable jaw 4 in the direction of arrow 7 (Fig. 4) is at the fixed Jaw 3 pivotally supported Lever 8 provided. The lever 8 is over a Drawbar 9, which is pivotable in a bearing 10 is supported on the movable jaw 4, coupled with the movable jaw 4. Of the Swivel lever 8 is by a linear motor, not shown, e.g. a double-acting pressure medium cylinder, operated.

The bending device also has an abutment 20 corresponding to the bending abutment 58 in Fig. 1 and 2, which are used interchangeably in a carrier 21 is. For this purpose, a groove 23 is recessed in the carrier 21, into which the abutment 20 is inserted with a sliding fit and there for example by a screw 24 is held.

The carrier 21 for the abutment 20 is on one Lever 25 mounted. The lever 25 is by means of a linear motor 27, e.g. a double-acting pressure medium cylinder, around a machine frame-fixed bearing 26, i.e. a camp opposite the fixed one Clamp 3 of the clamp 2 is not movable, in Direction of the double arrow 28 from that shown in FIG. 3 Active position in dash-dotted lines in Fig. 3 drawn standby position swiveling.

In addition, the carrier 21, as shown in FIG. 4, for the abutment 20 in a to the plane of symmetry the terminal 2 vertical plane, namely in the direction of the double arrow 29 shown in FIG. 4 adjustable. For this purpose, the carrier 21 is over guides 30 in a holder connected to the lever 25 31 slidably guided. To adjust the carrier 21 and thus the abutment 20 in the direction of Double arrow 29 is a linear motor, in the shown Embodiment a double-acting pressure medium motor 32, provided the piston rod 33 coupled to the carrier 21 via a pull rod 34 is.

In this way, the abutment 20 cannot only in one to the plane of symmetry of the jaw 2 parallel plane pivoted (double arrow 28), but also in one to the plane of symmetry of the terminal 2 vertical direction (double arrow 29), so that the abutment 20 entirely from the Area of the clamp can be moved away.

6 shows the abutment 20 carries on it front tip, which is formed by two inclined surfaces 36, for the longitudinal extension of the bending abutment 20 include an acute angle, is formed, one bead-like approach 35, which shows as Fig. 6, the upper surface of the hollow profile bar 53, which is in the clamp 2 clamped between the jaws 3 and 4 is before the start of the bending process, namely when swiveling the bending abutment 20 in bulges its active position somewhat.

In addition, the bending device according to the invention provided that the front end of the Abutment 20 and there on the inclined surfaces 36th subsequent, bead-shaped approach 35 something is narrower than the clear distance between the facing surfaces of the Jaws 3 and 4 of clamp 2. This is how the Side walls 40 of the hollow profile strip 53 to be bent supported from the inside during the bending process, as this schematically in the section of FIG. 7 is indicated. This is especially true when bending from hollow profile strips 53 to spacer frames for Insulating glass panes of importance because of the width of the Side surfaces 40 of the hollow profile strip 53 also in the corner area should not be reduced if possible and these side surfaces 40 in the corner area from the the side surfaces 40 defined in the area of the corner Layers should not deviate inwards so that the before assembling the insulating glass panes the spacer frames in the area of their side surfaces 40 adhesive and sealing material to be applied, e.g. a butyl rubber, also in the corner area, for the tightness of insulating glass panes of considerable Importance is to be applied in full width can.

To the abutment 20, in particular its beaded extension 35, opposite the jaw 2 and thus with respect to the axis 37, about which the hollow profile strip 53 is bent to align correctly, is on the abutment 20 in the area of its front An angled stop surface on one end 41 provided with a level 42 on the fixed jaw 3 cooperates. If the stop surface 41 on the step 42 of the Clamping jaw 3 abuts, the axis 37 is at the front Provided end of the bending abutment 20, bead-shaped approach 35 properly aligned.

The bending device according to the invention also has a bending lever 50 with a bending attachment 62, which is pivotable about an axis that with the axis 37 of the bead 35 at the front end of the Bending tool 20 coincides when that Abutment 20 is in its operative position (the Surfaces 41 lie on the surfaces 42 of the jaw 3 on). The pivoting range of the bending lever 50 is not limited to the 90 ° shown in FIG. 3, but also goes beyond that, so that after the Swing out (arrow 28) and move to the side (Arrow 29) of the bending abutment 20 also acute angles between the two to those in the hollow profile strip 53 generated corner 61 adjacent tavern of the Hollow profile bar 53 can be bent.

For turning a hollow profile bar 53 to one Terminal 2 is opened at the corner and the hollow profile strip 53 placed on the upper guide pins 6 or from the conveyor track 54 to the guide pins 6 pushed. After closing terminal 2, the Inner surfaces of the jaws 3 and 4 are then on the side surfaces 40 of the hollow profile strip 53, the abutment 20 in its in Figs. 3 and 6th shown active position moves and arches the upward-facing wall of the hollow profile strip 53 somewhat down one. Then it gets out of the clamp 2 protruding section 53 'of the hollow profile bar 53 through Swiveling the bending lever 50 to form a corner 61 pivoted. Should the angle at the Corner 61 be a sharp, so the abutment 20th swung back and pulled back sideways, whereupon bending continues to the desired angle becomes.

The bending lever 50 is then pivoted back, clamp 2 opened and the hollow profile strip 53 advanced until the location of the hollow profile strip 53, in which the next corner 61 is to be made, correctly aligned with the bending tool is. Then, as described above, the next one Corner 61 curved. This continues until a spacer frame with the desired number of Corners 61 - usually four - finished bent.

The device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 works subject to the explanation of the invention Method using FIG. 9 as follows:

The hollow profile bar 53 is from the transport device 54 at the lower edge of the support wall 60 advanced to end stop 57. The hollow profile bar 53 is therefore almost tolerance-free in a "zero" position. Now capture them on the sled 51 mounted jaws of the gripper 2 the hollow profile bar 53 in this position. The stop 57 is under the conveyor track 54 sunk and the carriage 51 with the hollow profile bar clamped by the gripper 52 53 now moves precisely in the direction of the bending lever 59 by the distance that a process computer specifies and the length of one leg of the one to be manufactured Spacer frame corresponds to and from an incremental encoder 56 is measured. Reached of the ships 51 the predetermined and effectively measured The bending lever bends at the end of its movement 59 the protruding above the ships 51 Part 53 'of the hollow profile bar 53 along the backwards inclined support wall 60 around the one Process computer predetermined angle - usually 90 ° - upwards.

The exact measurement of those driven by the slide 51 The incremental encoder 56 determines the distance or it is controlled via this. The incremental encoder 56 is on the drive motor 55 or at one point the path of movement of the slide 51 mounted.

The carriage 51 is driven by an endless toothed belt driven, and is on one parallel to the conveyor track 54 running leadership.

The engagement of the toothed belt in the drive gear of the geared motor 55 is exact and free of play designed so that a directly on the motor-gear unit mounted incremental encoder 56 die Precisely register the distance traveled by the slide 51 can. The effective route of the Carriage 51 corresponds to the profile length that the process computer intended for a bending process.

It is advantageous for driving the carriage 51 also the application of a rack on the Guide of the carriage 51 is mounted. In this alternative Applicable device needs the drive motor 55 not fixed on the bending table 60 but can also be arranged on the slide 51. The drive gear of the drive motor 55 then engages in the rack attached to the guide an, with an incremental encoder 56 also mounted on the geared motor 55 or on the slide 51 can be.

During the bending lever 59 the section 53 'of the hollow profile strip 53 bends upwards is held by the jaws 3 and 4, the grippers 52 mounted on the grind 51 from the hollow profile strip 53. The grinding 51 then runs at high speed to the starting position (reference point) back, after which the gripper 52 again frictionally attacks on the hollow profile bar 53. Of the Carriage 51 moves back in after the bending process Direction bending lever 59 exactly by the process computer given route.

When the hollow profile bar 53 in the device from one of these upstream feeders is fed up to the stop 57, the conveyor track 54 be a simple slideway.

On the movable carriage 51, the slip-free is driven by the motor 55, the gripper 52nd mounted, the hollow profile bar 53 friction captured from the side or from above and below. The unit carriage 51 and gripper 52 transported the hollow profile bar 53 slip in the direction of the bending lever 59. An incremental encoder 56 on the drive motor 55 or mounted on the transport carriage 51, engages in a transport toothed belt or in a Rack and determines the effectively driven Length of the slide 51, which a process computer specifies.

The sequence of work steps when executing the method of the invention is as follows 9 in more detail using the example the manufacture of a rectangular spacer frame described:

A hollow profile bar 53 is conveyed by a conveyor, which, for example, the slide 51 with the Gripper 52 can be, for example, starting from the reference position determined by the stop 57 is advanced so far that the over Bending abutment 20 projecting section 53 'of Hollow profile bar 53 of a certain distance "x" reduced length of the first leg of the manufactured Spacer frame corresponds. This Position is shown in Fig. 9b.

Now the jaws 3 and 4 are on the side Hollow profile bar 53 created and the carriage 51 returns in its starting position, which is shown in FIG. 9a, back. After this backward movement of the sled 51 has ended or is still in progress, the section 53 'of the bending lever 50 around the bending abutment 20 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 9b turned upwards.

After the bending process is finished, the Hollow profile bar 53 released from jaws 3 and 4 and the carriage 51 moves with them Sides (or from above and below) to the hollow profile strip 53 created gripper 52 in the in Fig. 9c shown position, he the hollow profile 53 so pushes far that the location of the hollow profile bar 53, the next by bending the hollow profile bar 53 (second) corner is to be created opposite the Bending abutment 20 is aligned.

Now jaws 3 and 4 close again and hold the profile 53 firmly and the The next (second) bending process is done with the help of the bending lever 50 executed while the sled 51 returns to its original position.

After the second bending process is finished, the carriage 51 moves with the hollow profile bar 53 applied gripper 52 by a distance that the length of the next leg of the to be manufactured Spacer frame corresponds so that the Place the hollow profile bar 53 in which the next (third) The corner must be created opposite the bending abutment 20 is aligned. The jaws 3 and 4 close again and hold the hollow profile strip 53, whereupon the third bending process is carried out becomes.

After the third bending process is finished, loosen the jaws 3 and 4 again from the hollow profile bar 53 and the cuts 51 moves with the Hollow profile bar 53 gripper 52 so far before that the next (fourth) position of the hollow profile bar 53, to bend in one corner, opposite the abutment 20 is precisely aligned.

When making a rectangular spacer frame, as shown in Fig. 9 corresponds this stroke exactly the stroke before the execution of the second bending process. After the feed of the Hollow profile strip 53 has been executed as described and the next bending point (the fourth) opposite the abutment 20 has been aligned, the jaws 3 and 4 close again and hold the hollow profile bar 53 firmly. Now the hollow profile strip on the one indicated by arrow 70 Point (Fig. 9e) cut off. The length of the like obtained in Fig. 9e to the left of the bending abutment 20 Piece of the hollow profile bar 53 corresponds exactly the predetermined distance "x" by which the Hollow profile bar 53 before the first bending process (Fig. 9b) was advanced less than the length of the first leg (Fig. 9b) corresponds.

Now the fourth bending process is carried out the front end 72 of the supplied hollow profile strip 53 and / or section 73 of the partial finished spacer frame from the bending plane be deflected or just the front End 72 of the supplied hollow profile bar 53 after is moved down so the fourth bending process is not hindered.

After the fourth bending process is finished, except for connecting the two at the joint 71 (Fig. 9f) adjacent ends of the Hollow profile bar 53 completed spacer frame transported away from the device after the jaws 3 and 4 have been released again.

Those adjacent to each other at the joint 71 Ends of the bent to the spacer frame Hollow profile strips are inserted, for example a connector or by butt welding these ends joined together. A suitable welding device is for example known from EP-A-0 192 921.

A particularly favorable embodiment of a Gripper 52, the necessary friction for the exact Feed of the hollow profile bar 53 ensures is shown in Fig. 10. It can be seen that the lower one Jaw 76 with at least in the conveying direction a guide rail (not shown) Carriage 51 is rigidly connected, whereas the upper one Cheek 72 through parallelogram handlebar 73 through one Pressure motor 74 can be pivoted away from the jaw 76 is. The movable jaw 72 can behind the Support wall 60 of the device can be pivoted, so that they can transport a finished bent Spacer frame not hindered.

Claims (26)

1. A method of bending hollow profiled strips (53) into spacer frames for insulating glass plates, the corners of the spacer frames all being made by bending the hollow profiled strips (53) and the free ends of the hollow profiled strips (53) which are connected together being located in a straight section of the spacer frame, characterized by the sequence of the following method steps:

   the hollow profiled strip (53) is advanced, starting from a "datum" position which is determined by a stop (57) provided after the bending head (58, 59) as referred to the feed direction of the hollow profiled strip (53), until the section (53') of the hollow profiled strip (53) projecting beyond the bending abutment (20) of the bending head (58, 59) is smaller by a predetermined portion X than the length of the first side of the spacer frame to be produced,

   the hollow profiled strip (53) is held fast in the bending head (58, 59) before the bending operation in the region of the bend to be produced,

   the hollow profiled strip (53) is bent the first time,

   alter the bending operation the hollow profiled strip (53) is advanced by a clamping feed device (52) lying in its not yet bent section, ahead of the bending head (58, 59) as referred to the feed direction and moving with the hollow profiled strip (53) during the advance, until the place in the hollow profiled strip (53) at which the next corner is to be created is aligned opposite the bending abutment (20),

   the feed device (52) moves back to its starting position while the hollow profiled strip (53) is held fast in the bending head (58, 59),

   these working steps of advancing the hollow profiled strip (53) and bending the same are repeated until only the last corner remains to be bent in the hollow profiled strip (53),

   the section of the hollow profiled strip (53) with the bends is advanced before bending the last corner by the feed device (52) and is cut off from the fed hollow profiled strip (53) at a distance from the point at which the last bend is to be effected which corresponds to the length of the predetermined portion X,

   the last corner is then bent and

   the spacer frame thus produced is taken off.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that during the bending of the last corner, the previously bent section of the hollow profiled strip and/or the front end of the fed hollow profiled strip are deflected out of the bending plane.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bent sections of the hollow profiled strip lie on a support surface.
4. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to any of claims 1 to 3,

   with a device (54) for conveying the hollow profiled strip (53) to be bent into the spacer frame, which is provided at the bottom of a support surface (60) for the bent sections of the hollow profiled strip,

   a bending head (58, 59) for bending the hollow profiled strip (53) round in order to produce corners at predetermined bending positions,

   a feed device (52) arranged ahead of the bending head (58, 59) as referred to the feed direction of the hollow profiled strip (53),

   a stop (57) projecting into the path of movement of the hollow profiled strip (53) and which can be moved out of this feed path, for determining the "datum" position into which the hollow profiled strip (53) to be bent is fed by the device (54) for conveying the hollow profiled strip (53),

   the feed device comprises a gripper (52) which can be moved through a predetermined path parallel to the conveyor device (54) and clamps the hollow profiled strip (53) during the advance of the hollow profiled strip (53) and during the advance moves with the hollow profiled strip (53), in order each time to align the envisaged bending position opposite the bending head (58, 59),

   a device for cutting off the hollow profiled strip (53) at a position (70) which lies before the bending head (58, 59) as referred to the feed direction,

   the bending head (58, 59) comprises jaws (3, 4) which can be applied to the hollow profiled strip (53) for holding the hollow profiled strip (53) fast during the bending operation,

   the gripper (52) and the jaws (3, 4) can be engaged alternately with the hollow profiled strip (53).
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, with a clamp (2) for the hollow profiled strip (53) which comprises two jaws (3, 4) movable relative to one another to alter the mutual spacing thereof and which can be applied to the side surfaces (40) of the hollow profiled strip (53) to be bent, wherein a bearer (6) for the hollow profiled strip (53) to be bent is provided between the jaws (3, 4), an abutment (20) associated with the clamp (2), about which the hollow profiled strip (53) is bent and which bears during the bending operation against the surface of the hollow profiled strip (53) later forming the inside corner, and a bending lever (50) pivoting relative to the clamp (2) for carrying out the bending operation and which can be applied to the section of the hollow profiled strip (53) projecting beyond the clamp (2), characterized in that the abutment (20) is held on a carrier (21) which can be adjusted both in or parallel to the plane of symmetry of the clamp (2) and also perpendicular to this plane of symmetry, for moving the abutment out of the bending plane.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the carrier (21) for the abutment (20) can pivot about an axis (bearing 26) perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the clamp (2).
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the carrier (21) for the abutment (20) is guided for sliding movement perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the clamp (2) in a mount (31).
8. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the carrier (21) for the abutment (20) is mounted on a lever (25), which is pivotally mounted in the device about an axis perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the clamp (2).
9. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the carrier (21) for the abutment (20) is slidably guided in a mount (31) fixed to the lever (25) by preferably at least two guide rods (30) or guide rails perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the clamp (2).
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the abutment (20) is interchangeably fixed to its carrier (21).
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the abutment (20) is fitted on the carrier (21) with a sliding fit in a groove (23) provided in the carrier (21) and is fixed with the aid of a fixing device, e.g. a screw (24).
12. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that one of the jaws (3) of the clamp (2) is positionally fixed on the frame of the apparatus and in that the second jaw (4) is slidably guided relative to the positionally fixed jaw (3).
13. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that guide rods (5, 6) are provided to guide the movable jaw (4) relative to the positionally fixed jaw (3) and are aligned perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the clamp (2) and engage with a sliding fit in bores in one of the jaws (3, 4), and in that guide rods (6) at the same time form a bearer for the hollow profiled strip (53) to be bent.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the movable jaw (4) is coupled to a linear motor, e.g. a pressure medium cylinder, through a lever (8) and draw rod (9) drive means.
15. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 14, characterized in that one of the jaws (3, 4) of the clamp (2), preferably the positionally fixed jaw (3), has a step (42) on its side facing the abutment (20) and in that the abutment (20) has a counter-surface (41), preferably an oblique surface, engaging in the step (42) in the operative position of the abutment (20).
16. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 15, characterized in that the abutment (20) is narrower than the hollow profiled strip (53) to be bent and has a bead-like thickening (35) at its free end.
17. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 16, characterized in that the bending lever (50) pivots about an axis (37) perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the clamp (2) and which is coaxial with the axis of the bead (35) on the front end of the abutment (20), when the abutment (20) is in its operative position.
18. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 17, characterized in that the pivotal axis (bearing 26) of the lever (25) carrying the carrier (21) for the abutment (20) is offset relative to the pivotal axis (37) for the bending lever (50).
19. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 18, characterized in that the gripper (52) is provided on a slide (51), which is movable on a guide running parallel to the conveyor device (54).
20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that a feed measuring device, e.g. an incremental transducer (56) is associated with the drive motor (55) for the slide (51).
21. Apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the slide (51) is coupled to an endless toothed belt driven by the drive motor (55).
22. Apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the drive motor (55) is mounted on the slide (51) and has a pinion which meshes with a rack mounted in a fixed position in the apparatus.
23. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 22, characterized in that a stop (57) which can be sunk into or below the feed device (54) is provided beside the bending head (58/59).
24. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 23, characterized in that the gripper (52) comprises jaws (72, 76) which can be applied to the hollow profiled strip (53) from above and from below.
25. Apparatus according to any of claims 19 to 24, characterized in that the lower jaw (76) of the gripper (52) is fixed on the slide (51) and the upper jaw (72) of the gripper (52) is movably mounted on the slide (51).
26. Apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the movable jaw (72) is connected to the slide (51) through parallelogram links (73).

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