US3738209A

US3738209A - Device for punching holes in metal tubes

Info

Publication number: US3738209A
Application number: US00186293A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-10-04
Filing date: 1971-10-04
Publication date: 1973-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-12

Abstract

In a device for cutting holes or slots in metal tubes to produce bracket or shelf standards a wheel is included having removable blades adjustably fixed along its circumference and protruding therefrom to present a multitude of cutting surfaces. Tube tray means are provided for carrying the metal tubes. Special flexible arbors pivotally fixed at one end to the tube tray are provided for insertion in the tubes for receiving the slugs or cut out portions. Means are provided for raising and lowering the wheel and means are provided for moving the tube tray along a slide track to rotate the lowered wheel and effect the cutting of holes along the metal tube. Indexing means on the wheel facilitate commencement of correct cutting at any selected point along the metal tube.

Description

United States Patent 1 Davis June 12, 1973 1 1 DEVICE FOR PUNCHING HOLES IN METAL TUBES [76] Inventor: Raleigh F. Davis, 2116 S. Vernon,

Dallas, Tex. 75208 [22] Filed: Oct. 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 186,293

[52] US. Cl. 83/98, 83/54, 83/144,

83/308, 72/193, 83/667 [51] Int. Cl B26d 7/06 [58] Field of Search 83/50, 54, 78, 98,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 336,852 2/1886 Higgins 83/308 X 3,124,027 3/1964 Loeffel 83/98 3,482,478 12/1969 Einhorn 83/677 X 3,172,321 3/1965 Schrader 83/100 3,142,216 7/1964 Rupnow 83/308 Primary Examiner--Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner-W. Donald Bray Att0rney-Arthur M. Sloan [57] ABSTRACT In a device for cutting holes or slots in metal tubes to produce bracket or shelf standards a wheel is included having removable blades adjustably fixed along its circumference and protruding therefrom to present a multitude of cutting surfaces. Tube tray means are provided for carrying the metal tubes. Special flexible arbors pivotally fixed at one end to the tube tray are provided for insertion in the tubes for receiving the slugs or cut out portions. Means are provided for raising and lowering the wheel and means are provided for moving the tube tray along a slide track to rotate the lowered wheel and effect the cutting of holes along the metal tube. Indexing means on the wheel facilitate commencement of correct cutting at any selected point along the metal tube.

40 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures SHEIIEUFS INVENTOR ATTORNEY N O L 1W] 6 PAIENIEU J11"! 3973 PAIEMIEDM Z 3.738.209

FIG. 5 46 I 7 I X I I ITTI FIG.8

INVENTOR RALEIGH F. DAVIS ATTORNEY DEVICE FOR PUNCHING HOLES IN METAL TUBES This invention relates to a device or machine for cutting or punching holes or slots in metal tubes to produce bracket or shelf standards or slotted tubing.

Heretofore slots or holes have been cut or punched in metal tubes by manually operated punch presses or brake presses which cut or punch one hole or slot or one set of holes or slots with each operation or stroke of the press.

Utilizing the subject invention slots or holes are cut or punched in metal tubes automatically on an accurate mass production basis.

Not only have prior art manual operations been costly from a time consumption and labor standpoint, but they have also been inaccurate resulting in numerous rejects and wasted material. All of these deficiencies in current methods are obviated by the subject invention.

The subject invention utilizes a rotary wheel with teeth or blades appropriately spaced to give the correct or desired hole or slot spacing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the teeth or blades are adjustable as to position and removable to provide different spacing and patterns and to accomplish replacement and sharpening.

The rotary wheel of the invention may be raised or lowered.

The rotary wheel of the invention is positioned over the metal tubing to be cut and lowered to effect cutting of the first hole. Then either the tube is driven to rotate the wheel as in the preferred embodiment or the wheel is driven to move the tube and to effect the cutting of the holes or slots in the tube by the teeth or blades as the wheel is rotated.

Different diameters of wheel may be employed for cutting different lengths of metal tubing throughout their length on one rotation of the wheel; however by continuous rotation of the wheel continuing lengths of metal tubing may be cut.

The subject invention contemplates the use of a flexible arbor or a flexible grooved metal bar or mandrel to be inserted within the hollow metal tubing to be out prior to the cutting of the slots so that the grooves in the arbor or metal bar receive the slugs or metal fragments cut out of the metal tube and carry them away from the work surface thus avoiding an accumulation of material on the work surface which would ultimately clog the work area and prevent continuation of the cutting operation.

The grooves in the arbor or metal bar are appropriately cleaned of slugs after cutting of the slots or holes and removal of the flexible metal bar or arbor from the metal tube.

The metal bar or arbor is constructed so as to be slightly resilient to promote its insertion into and removal from the metal tubing.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the tube rather than the rotary wheel is driven thus effecting movement of the rotary wheel when the rotary wheel is in the lowered position. The blades or teeth may be separate from the wheel and arranged along the path of the metal tube with the pressure of the rotary wheel against the metal tube pressing the tube against the blades or teeth and cutting the slots or holes. However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the blades or teeth are mounted directly on the wheel.

The drive for the tube tray which acts through a gear assembly may be hydraulic or pneumatic or any other suitable drive.

The cleaning of the arbors or mandrels is effected by the manual lowering of a slug stripping assembly with a stop for preventing return of the cut metal tube as the direction of the tube tray is reversed. A stripping teeth device cleans the slugs from the arbor or mandrel as it is returned, and the lowering of the slug stripping assembly activates an air valve which allows air to blow the slugs through an air escape chute to a slug collector.

Accordingly it is an object of the subject invention to provide an improved device for punching or cutting holes or slots in metal tubes.

Another object of the subject invention is to provide an automated device or machine for punching or cutting holes or slots in metal tubes.

A further object of the subject invention is to provide a device for mass producing bracket or shelf standards.

Still another object of the subject invention is to provide a device for punching or cutting holes or slots in metal tubes including flexible arbors for insertion in the tubes prior to cutting for receiving the slugs or cut out portions.

Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide a device for punching or cutting holes or slots in metal tubes including a cutting wheel with removable blades adjustably fixed along its circumference.

An additional object of the subject invention is to provide a device for punching or cutting holes or slots in metal tubes including means for moving the metal tubes along a slide track to rotate the lowered cutting wheel and effect cutting.

Another object of the subject invention is to provide a device for punching or cutting holes or slots in metal tubes including indexing means on the wheel to facilitate commencement of correct cutting at any preselected point along the metal tube.

Still a further object of the subject invention is to provide a device for punching or cutting holes or slots in metal tubes including means for raising and lowering the cutting wheel.

Another object of the subject invention is to provide a device for punching or cutting holes or slots in metal tubes including means for cleaning the slugs from the flexible arbors or mandrels and removing them from the work area.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the device of the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of the subject invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially cut away side view of a portion of the device of the subject invention showing the relationship of the cutting wheel to the metal tube, arbor, gear rack, and drive wheel.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the device of the subject invention further showing the relationships of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the slug stripping assembly of the subject invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the arbor or mandrel of the subject invention. I

FIG. 7 is a side view of the arbor of the subject inven- UOII.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the arbor of the subject invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing how the arbor is pivotally fixed at one end tothe tube tray.

Referring to the drawings in FIGS. 1-4 the device of the subject invention is shown in various views. The operation of the device of the subject invention is as follows. Legs 1 and 2 support the mounting table 3 and its

extensions

4 and 5. Tube tray 15 carries metal tubes back and forth along the surface of the mounting or work table 3 and its

extensions

4 and 5. Motor 7 drives the tube tray 15 in one direction as indicated by arrow 8, and motor 9 drives the tube tray 15 in the opposite direction, as indicated by the arrow 10. The motors 7 and 9 drive the tube tray 15 through a gear box 11 which may have an 18-1 reduction at 900 RPM.

FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 show the drive wheel 12. As further depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the drive wheel 12 meshes with gear rack 13 driving or moving the slide track 14 and tube tray 15 which carries the metal tube 16 and inserted segmented metal bar or arbor 17.

The cutting or punch holder wheel 18 carries cutting blades or punches 19 which are removable and adjustable and which are fixed to cutting wheel 18 by set screws 20.

Four index points or

holes

21, 22, 23, and 24 are spaced around the cutting wheel or wheel punch holder 18 so that when index pin 25 is stuck through the hole in bracket 26 and index point or hole 24, the cutting wheel 18 is aligned to commence cutting metal tubing with the first blade or punch 19 striking at the correct angle. Of course, at the time the cutting operation is commenced the index pin 25 is removed from the index point or hole 24 to allow rotation of the cutting wheel 18. Similar alignments may be effected by lining up the hole in bracket 26 with one of the index points and inserting index pin 25. In each instance the index pin 25 is removed from the index point at the time the cutting or punching operation begins.

To commence the cutting operation one end of the metal tube 16 to be cut is held against the end stop 27 and the other end is placed along the path of the tube tray 15 so that as the tube tray 15 bearing the arbor or flexible metal bar 17 is moved in the direction 8 the arbor 17 is pivoted up and fed or threaded into the metal tube 16.-The pivotal connection of one end of the arbor 17 to the tube tray 15 is shown in FIG. 9. Slide guides 28 maintain the proper alignment of the tube tray 15 and consequently the metal tube 16 on the extension 4 of the mounting or work table 3. After the arbor 17 is inserted within the metal tube 16 the direction of movement is reversed and the tube tray 15 hearing the metal tube 16 with inserted arbor 17 is sent in the direction to the end of the mounting table 3 extension 4. Then the cutting wheel 18 which has been properly aligned by means of one of the index points and index pin 25 is lowered and the tube tray is moved in the direction 8 carrying the metal tube 16 under the cutting blades 19 as shown in FIG. 3 to effect cutting of slots or cut out portions 29. The slugs or metal fragments 30 fall into the troughs or depressions 31 in the arbor l7 and are removed from the work area as the tube tray 28 continues across the mounting table and extension 4 in the direction 8.

The cutting wheel or wheel punch holder 18 is rotationally mounted between the wheel guides 32. The wheel guides 32 are raised and lowered, thus raising or lowering the cutting wheel 18, by means of the cam 33 which is driven by the air cylinder 34 having piston 35. Also note the use of hardened cam block 36.

As noted, the index pin 25 holds the spacing from the end of the metal tube 16 to the first strike or punch thus positioning the wheel 18 over the tubing 16 to be cut.

As the tubing 16 is cut or punched it proceeds in the direction 8 and when the tube tray 15 reaches the micro switch 37, it activates or trips the micro switch 37 which releases the drive or clutch on the motor 7 by conventional pneumatic or hydraulic means not shown. As the tube tray progresses further in the direction 8, it activates or trips the micro switch 38 which actuates a brake on the motor 7 drive by conventional pneumatic or hydraulic means not shown.

Note the

roller bearing holders

39 and 40 which act through

rollers

41 and 42 to hold the tubes 16 and arbor 17 as they pass under the

rollers

41 and 42.

The

springs

43 and 44 in the end stop 27 which is used for threading or inserting the arbor 17 in the tube 16 provide for leeway or variance in the length of metal tube 16. Without the tolerance provided by the

springs

43 and 44, the back plate 45 might be sheared off from the force exerted against the back plate 45 as the arbor is forced into an oversized length of metal tubing 16. (The pivotal connection of one end of the arbor 17 to the tube tray 15 is shown in FIG. 9.)

After the microswitch 38 has actuated the brake on motor 7, the slug stripping assembly 46 is manually actuated by depressing or lowering the hand lever or manual control 47.

When the handle 47 is depressed, the directional air switch 48 which may be a toggle switch is actuated manually by changing the switch position so that when master air switch 49 is turned on, the drive or clutch on motor 9 is engaged and the drive or clutch on motor 7 is disengaged or released. Although referred to as air switches, switches 48 and 49 may be either pneumatic or hydraulic in their actuation.

Slug stripping assembly 46 is shown roughly in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a detailed illustration in FIG. 5. With the directional air switch 48 set to engage the clutch on motor 9 and the master air switch 49 and the motor onoff switch 50 turned on, the tube tray 15 moves in the direction 10 and, when it reaches the slug stripping assembly 46 with the handle 47 down or depressed, the cut or punched tubing 16 engages against the element 51 of the slug stripping assembly and further movement of the tube 16 is stopped or blocked, while the arbor 17 is carried by the tube tray 15 under the slug stripping assembly 46 in the direction 10. Air line 52 carries air to the air valve 53. When the handle 47 is lowered or depressed, offset or flange 54 which is integral with or attached to handle 47 activates air valve 53 by depressing it and air enters air line 55 and flows through opening 56 and air passage 57 into chamber 58. Toothed element 59 engages the slugs 30 carried by arbor 17 as the arbor l7 and tube tray 15 pass in the direction 10, and the slugs are forced through opening 60 into the chamber 58. The air forced into the chamber or escape chute 58 blows the slugs 30 out of the chute 58 and down exhaust hose or pipe 61 into slug collector or receptacle 62. 1

After the arbor 17 passes through the slug stripping assembly 46, the handle 47 is raised, and the slug stripping assembly 46 is automatically raised as a result of its spring loading up. The spring loading up is effected by springs 63 and shoulder screws 64.

Lowering of the slug stripping assembly 46 is specifically accomplished by coaction of the lowered handle 47 against the pin element 65.

When the tube tray carrying the arbor 17 passes the micro switch 66 activating the micro switch 66, it releases the drive or clutch on the motor 9 disengaging the motor 9, and, as the tube tray 15 carrying the arbor 17 passes the micro switch 67 activating the micro switch 67, it activates the brake on motor 9. Both the brake and the clutch may be either hydraulically or pneumatically actuated.

Note support 68 for motor 7.

As indicated, the motors are actuated and powered electrically through electrical box 69 with electrical on- Off switch 50 which may be a two button switch. Commonly 220 volt electric power is utilized to run the motors 7 and 9.

The electric motors 7 and 9 control the gear box 11 including the drive wheel 12 and gear rack 13.

As noted the brake and clutch release are controlled pneumatically or hydraulically.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 show top views, side views and end views of the arbor 17. Note centerpieces 70 of the arbor l7 and side pieces 71 of the arbor 17 held in place by keyways and held together by flat head cap screws 72.

The blades or punches 19 are removable for sharpening or replacement.

Although the embodiment of the invention depicted shows blades arranged in sets around the circumference of the wheel to cut pairs of oppositely disposed slots in a tube or shelf standard, a single row of blades or punches may be arranged around the circumference of the wheel or punch holder to effect the cutting or punching of a single line or row of slots or holes in a tube. In the embodiment of the invention shown this is easily effected by removing the blades on one side of the wheel and laterally displacing the wheel for suitable location of the cut.

Likewise any desired blades can be removed to effect a desired cutting pattern or to stop or commence the cutting operation at a preselected point along the length of the metal tube.

Not only may different size blades be used on the wheel to effect the cutting of different size holes or slots, but a series of holes 73 may be provided along the radii of the wheel to allow for adjustment of the degree or length of protrusion of the blade from the wheel.

The spacing of the slots can be varied by making the blades or punches longer or shorter.

Although certain embodiments of the invention are described in detail, it will be understood that this is by way of example, and various changes in the construction and arrangement of the device may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes including a wheel having removeable blades fixed along its circumference and protruding therefrom to present a plurality of cutting surfaces, means for driving the metal tube under the wheel to effect rotation of the wheel and cutting of the metal tube along its length, means for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube, and means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the cutting area in which the means for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube includes a metal arbor which is inserted within the metal tube prior to the cutting operation and removed from the metal tube after the cutting operation and in which the metal arbor is flexible.

2. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 1 in which the metal arbor has longitudinal slots for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube.

3. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 2 in which the means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the cutting area includes means for removing the arbor from the metal tube, means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the arbor, and means for propelling the cut out portions of the metal tube to a slug receptacle.

4. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 3 in which the means for removing the arbor from the metal tube includes means for moving the arbor while restraining movement of the metal tube.

5. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 4 in which the means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the arbor includes a toothed stripping tool which rakes the cut out portions of the metal tube from the longitudinal alots of the metal arbor as the arbor is removed from the metal tube.

6. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 5 in which the means for restraining movement of the metal tube and the toothed stripping tool are actuated at a preselected time subsequent to completion of the cutting operation.

7. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described claim 6 in which the means for actuating the means for restraining movement of the metal tube and the toothed stripping tool is manually operated.

8. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 7 in which the means for propelling the cut out portions of the metal tube to a slug receptacle include a duct and a slug receptacle and means providing pneumatic pressure for blowing the cut out portions of the metal tube into and through the duct as they are raked from the longitudinal slots of the metal arbor.

9. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 8 including means for actuating the means for providing pneumatic pressure.

10. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 9 in which the means for actuating the means for providing pneumatic pressure is a pneumatic valve which is opened when the means for restraining movement of the metal tube and the toothed stripping tool are actuated.

11. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes including a wheel having removeable blades fixed along its circumference and protruding therefrom to present a plurality of cutting surfaces, means for driving the metal tube under the wheel to effect rotation of the wheel and cutting of the metal tube along its length,

means for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube, and means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the cutting area in which the means for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube includes a metal arbor which is inserted within the metal tube prior to the cutting operation and removed from the metal tube after the cutting operation and including means for inserting the arbor within the metal tube in which the means for inserting the arbor within the metal tube includes an end stop for restraining the metal tube as the arbor is carried into the metal tube by the means for driving the metal tube.

12. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 11 in which the end stop is spring loaded to provide compensation for oversize lengths of metal tube.

13. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes including a wheel having removeable blades fixed along its circumference and protruding therefrom to present a plurality of cutting surfaces, means for driving the metal tube under the wheel to effect rotation of the wheel and cutting of the metal tube along its length, means for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube, means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the cutting area, means for lowering the cutting wheel so that the blades will contact the metal tube when the cutting operation is to begin and means for raising the cutting wheel upon completion of the cutting operation, and including wheel guides rotatably holding the cutting wheel in which the cutting wheel raising and lowering is effected by a pneumatic cylinder which actuates a cam attached to the wheel guides through a hardened cam block.

14. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes including a wheel having removeable blades fixed along its circumference and protruding therefrom to present a plurality of cutting surfaces, means for driving the metal tube under the wheel to effect rotation of the wheel and cutting of the metal tube along its length, means for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube, and means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the cutting area in which the means for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube includes a metal arbor which is inserted within the metal tube prior to the cutting operation and removed from the metal tube after the cutting operation and in which the means for driving the metal tube under the wheel to effect rotation of the wheel and cutting of the metal tube along its length includes a slide track and a tube tray for carrying the arbor and the metal tube with the arbor inserted therein along the slide track.

15. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 14 in which the tube tray is driven by at least one motor acting through a gear assembly.

16. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 15 in which the tube tray is driven under the cutting wheel to effect cutting of the metal tube by one motor acting through a gear assembly and in which the tube tray is driven in the reverse direction by a second motor acting through a gear assembly.

17. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 15 in which the gear assembly includes a drive wheel and a gear rack.

18. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 16 including clutch means and brake means associated with each motor so that the tube tray may be driven in a selected direction by engaging the associated clutch means to the motor driving in the desired direction, and stopping the movement of the tube tray may be effected by disengaging the associated clutch means from the motor driving the tube tray and then applying the associated brake to such motor.

19. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 18 in which the clutch means and brake means are pneumatically activated and deactivated. I

20. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 18 in which the clutch means and brake means are hydraulically activated and deactivated.

21. A device for cutting holes im metal tubes as described in claim 18 including means for switching from one motor to another and insuring that not more than one motor is driving the tube tray at one time.

22. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described inclaim 21 including micro switch means activated by the passing tube tray for first releasing the clutch from the first driving motor after the cutting of the metal tube has been completed, and micro switch means activated by the passing tube tray for then applying the brake to said motor.

23. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 22 including micro switch means activated by the passing tube tray for first releasing the clutch from the second driving motor both after the arbor and after the uncut metal tube with arbor inserted have been returned to the other side of the cutting wheel prior to the commencement of another cutting operation, and micro switch means activated by the passing tube tray for then applying the brake to said motor.

24. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 23 including roller bearing holders for holding down the metal tubes and arbors as they are carried from one direction to another along the slide track by the tube tray.

25. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 24 including a slide guide for the tube tray.

26. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 23 in which the metal arbor is flexible and has longitudinal slots for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube.

27. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 26 in which the means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the cutting area includes a slug receptacle, means for removing the arbor from the metal tube, means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the arbor, and means for propelling the cut out portions of the metal tube to the slug receptacle.

28. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 27 in which the means for'removing the arbor from the metal tube includes means for moving the arbor on the tube tray while restraining movement of the metal tube.

29. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 28 in which the means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the arbor includes a toothed stripping tool which rakes the cut out portions of the metal tube from the longitudinal slots of the metal arbor as the arbor is removed from the metal tube.

30. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 29 in which the means for restraining movement of the metal tube and the toothed stripping tool are simultaneously actuated at a preselected time subsequent to completion of the cutting operation.

31. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 30 in which the means for actuating the means for restraining movement of the metal tube and the toothed stripping tool is manually operated.

32. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 31 in which the means for propelling the cut out portions of the metal tube to a slug receptacle include a duct and a slug receptacle and means providing pneumatic pressure for blowing the cut out portions of the metal tube into and through the duct as they are raked from the longitudinal slots of the metal arbor.

33. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 32 including means for actuating the means for providing pneumatic pressure.

34. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 33 in which the means for actuating the means for providing pneumatic pressure is a pneumatic valve which is opened when the means for restraining movement of the metal tube and the toothed stripping tool are activated.

35. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 34 including means for inserting the arbor within the metal tube.

36. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 35 in which the means for inserting the arbor within the metal tube includes an end stop for restraining the metal tube as the arbor is carried into the metal tube by the tube tray.

37. A device for cutting holes in metal tube as described in claim 36 in which the end stop is spring loaded to provide compensation for oversize lengths of metal tube.

38. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 37 including means for raising and lowering the cutting wheel so that on lowering the wheel the blades will contact the metal tube and the cutting operation may begin, and, upon completion of the cutting operation, the wheel may be raised.

39. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 38 including wheel guides rotatably holding the cutting wheel and including the pneumatic cylinder, a cam, and a hardened cam block in which the cutting wheel raising and lowering is effected by the pneumatic cylinder actuating the cam which is attached to the wheel guides through the hardened cam block.

40. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 39 including indexing means on the cutting wheel, a bracket including hole means fixed to the wheel guides, and a pin wherein the wheel is aligned for proper commencement of the cutting operation by aligning the indexing means on the cutting wheel with the hole means on the bracket so that the pin will pass simultaneously through the indexing means and the hole means.

Claims

1. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes including a wheel having removeable blades fixed along its circumference and protruding therefrom to present a plurality of cutting surfaces, means for driving the metal tube under the wheel to effect rotation of the wheel and cutting of the metal tube along its length, means for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube, and means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the cutting area in which the means for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube includes a metal arbor which is inserted within the metal tube prior to the cutting operation and removed from the metal tube after the cutting operation and in which the metal arbor is flexible.

11. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes including a wheel having removeable blades fixed along its circumference and protruding therefrom to present a plurality of cutting surfaces, means for driving the metal tube under the wheel to effect rotation of the wheel and cutting of the metal tube along its length, means for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube, and means for removing the cut out portions of the metal tube from the cutting area in which the means for receiving the cut out portions of the metal tube includes a metal arbor which is inserted within the metal tube prior to the cutting operation and removed from the metal tube after the cutting operation and including means for inserting the arbor within the metal tube in which the means for inserting the arbor within the metal tube includes an end stop for restraining the metal tube as the arbor is carried into the metal tube by the means for driving the metal tube.

19. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 18 in which the clutch means and brake means are pneumatically activated and deactivated.

22. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 21 including micro switch means activated by the passing tube tray for first releasing the clutch from the first driving motor after the cutting of the metal tube has been completed, and micro switch means activated by the passing tube tray for then applying the brake to said motor.

28. A device for cutting holes in metal tubes as described in claim 27 in which the means for removing the arbor from the metal tube includes means for moving the arbor on the tube tray while restraining movement of the metal tube.