METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FOLDING METAL RODS IN BARS

Technical Field

The present invention regards a method and an apparatus for folding metal rods in bars, in particular iron rods obtained through cutting from bars or reels.

Background Art

It has been known to use iron rods folded at the opposed ends, known as "shaped", to realize reinforcements for reinforced concrete. To realize such products, apparatuses, which put the ends of the iron rod, straight or prestraightened, through a suitable series of foldings, are generally used. More in particular, folding apparatuses called "shaping robot" are actually known, which allow to realize shaped products starting from metal rods already cut at a determined length suited to the dimension of the shaped profiles to be obtained.

Such apparatuses usually comprise a feeding way with motorized rollers, used for feeding the bars to be shaped, means for transferring or loading the bars, manual, automatic or semiautomatic, and a couple of folding units, each carrying a folding head designed to the shaping of a respective end of the loaded bars.

In particular, each folding head comprises a fold tool normally consisting in a central fold mandrel and in an excentric folding pin, further to an abutment that prevents the piece being worked from moving.

In alternative, according to a known solution, the fold tool consists in a couple of shapes that serve also as abutments during the folding step always performed by an excentric pin.

For example the patent EP 0 648 577 A1 discloses an apparatus for shaping bars, comprising automatic load means suitable to pick up the bars to be shaped from support slits and to deposit the same bars on two automated folding machines, suitable to carry out a shaping cycle on the same bars.

In the traditional apparatuses, each folding head is anyway constrained to the folding unit, which is fixed or mobile in direction longitudinal to the axis of the bar to be shaped. Apparatuses are known wherein a folding unit is fixed, while the other one is mobile. Apparatuses are known as well, with a functioning similar to what has been described, wherein both folding units are mobile.

Such apparatuses of the known type generally present a considerable bulk, which comparable with the maximal lengths of the bars to be shaped. As an example, so the known apparatuses can extend till 12, 18 or also 24 meters, according to the raw materials to be worked, the required maximal length of which can vary according to the country.

Nevertheless it frequently occurs in the specific field that the need is felt, of working a great quantity of rods having a considerably reduced length with respect to the maximal length of the used raw material and folded at only one end. To such an aim it is preferred to dedicate a suitable shaping apparatus, with a reduced longitudinal extension, usually between 5 and 7 meters, and so less bulky with respect to the traditional apparatuses. But such apparatuses, dedicated to the so-called "short" pieces, represent additional costs for the productive plants, as they do not enable to shape the profiles with a maximal length and at both opposite ends. The need also exists of folding so-called "long" pieces at only one end, yet leaving one folding unit unused, so wasting room and productive resources.

Therefore the known apparatuses do not fully satisfy the requirements of the specific field, as they are not able to offer the required versatility and oblige to have more apparatuses available, each dedicated exclusively to short pieces or to long pieces, with the necessity of considerable space which is not always available.

Disclosure

The task of the present invention is that of solving the problems cited in the background art, devising a method and an apparatus for folding metal rods in bars that allows to perform, in a versatile manner, the folding of rods of any dimension, with folds at one end or at both ends, optimizing the space occupied and the productivity.

Within such a task, it is a further scope of the present invention to provide an apparatus that performs the cited folding of rods and the like with a simple and functional structure, provided with a surely reliable functioning and with a great flexibility of use.

The cited scopes are attained, according to the invention, by the method according to claim 1 , as well as by the apparatus according to claim 4.

The apparatus for folding metal rods which accomplishes the method according to the invention basically comprises a first folding bench and a supplementary folding bench, aligned and independent along one same longitudinal direction.

Such a longitudinal direction is parallel and arranged at the side of a common line for feeding the rods or bars, suitable to feed even at the same time the first folding bench and the supplementary folding bench.

In such a way it is possible to enable the performing of a first folding cycle and of a supplementary folding cycle, in a simultaneous way, synchronous or not, starting from bars fed on the same feeding line, the fed bars being prearraneged respectively according to a predetermined number, destined to the first folding cycle, and according to a supplementary predetermined number, destined to the supplementary folding cycle.

The bars of the predetermined number can be of equal or different length with respect to the bars of the supplementary predetermined number. Instead, the bars inside each number to be folded, predetermined or supplementary predetermined, obviously have the same dimensional features.

In practice the apparatus warrants the required versatility as it has a couple of folding benches at its disposal, which can be operated in line, at the side of the feeding line, independently and at the same time, and, if needed, which can be coupled in the movements as if they were a unique bench.

[19] In this way it is possible to perform at the same time on the same apparatus two different work cycles of pieces folded at only one end or shaped, that is folded at both ends, so-called

"short", prearranging the aforesaid folding benches at such a reciprocal distance as to enable the positioning of the respective predetermined and supplementary predetermined numbers of bars to be folded in the respective work cycle.

[20] More precisely, the method and the apparatus according to the invention allow to work pieces folded at only one end, by using the provided folding benches, independently from each other, to produce at the same time pieces of such a type, so doubling the productivity with respect to the known methods and apparatuses.

[21 ] The same folding benches can work in an independent or combined and coordinated manner, to work pieces that require folds at both ends.

[22] The first folding bench and the supplementary folding bench respectively comprise a first fold unit and a supplementary fold unit.

[23] Each fold unit comprises a folding head provided with an excentric folding pin mobile about a central fold tool, for folding the respective predetermined or supplementary predetermined number of bars that are interposed between the excentric folding pin and the central fold tool.

[24] Between the first fold unit of the first folding bench and the supplementary fold unit of the supplementary folding bench is interposed an intermediate handling group, with double handling, for preferably end portions of the bars.

[25] The intermediate handling group is a double handling group as it can handle portions of the predetermined number of bars and of the supplementary predetermined number of bars.

[26] More precisely, the aforesaid intermediate handling group for the bars can engage at the same time respective portions of bars of the predetermined number and respective portions of bars of the supplementary predetermined number, cooperating with both the first fold unit of the first folding bench and with the supplementary unit of the supplementary folding group, exactly for folding respectively the predetermined number of bars and the supplementary predetermined number of bars.

[27] It is provided that the cited intermediate handling group to be mobile with respect to and between the first fold unit and the supplementary fold unit, according to a direction parallel to the line for feeding the bars.

[28] The cited intermediate handling group so shapes double handling means.

[29] Practically the group comprises first handling means for portions, preferably end portions, of the predetermined number of bars and second handling means for portions, preferably end portions, of the supplementary predetermined number of bars. The group is mobile according to a relative motion, relatively to each fold unit provided, along the above said longitudinal direction, parallel to the feeding line to cooperate with both fold units, the first fold unit and the supplementary fold unit.

The intermediate handling group with double handling means is basically suitable to cooperate, at one side, with the first fold unit for folding the cited predetermined number of bars, and at the other side, with the supplementary fold unit to cooperate as well to the folding of the supplementary predetermined number of bars, by engaging respective portions of the bars.

It is to be observed that the intermediate handling group is mobile with respect to the first fold unit and to the supplementary fold unit, in a way as to allow the moving and/or anyway the correct placing of the respective numbers of bars to be worked, with respect to the fold members.

It is also to be observed that the intermediate handling group is a group separated and autonomous from the fold units and from the respective folding heads, even though it cooperates in an autonomous way therewith.

The apparatus is basically very compact, as each folding bench provided is given by the combination of a fold unit provided with folding members and with respective handling means for portions of the bars, shaped by the intermediate handling group.

As an example the intermediate handling group can comprise a unique structure which can perform the double handling of the bars, that is the handling of the bars at two opposite sides, according to the aforesaid longitudinal direction.

For example the above said intermediate structure can carry a first and a second reference or abutment wall, each one being oriented and mobile according to a relative motion, relatively to a respective fold unit of a respective folding bench.

Alternatively the intermediate handling structure can carry a first handling member and a second handling member, which can be actuated in an autonomous manner, the same structure being mobile according to a relative motion, with respect to the fold units, and each cited handling member being suitable to engage autonomously respective portions, preferably end portions, of the bars being worked or any point thereof, on one side through the first folding bench and on the other side through the supplementary folding bench.

In alternative to the unique handling structure, the intermediate group can be split into a first handling group, represented by a first structure carrying the first cited handling member, and into a second handling group carrying the second cited handling member.

The first fold unit and the supplementary fold unit are therefore mobile with respect to the intermediate handling group, in a way as to allow the folding of any portion of the bars being worked, for each work cycle being performed downstream of the same feeding line or way. The intermediate group can be fixed or mobile, as also one or both fold units provided can be. In particular, in case the first fold unit and the supplementary fold unit are both mobile, the intermediate handling group can be mounted fixed. Also in such a case, yet, the intermediate group has to be considered mobile according to a relative motion, with respect to both fold units.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the previously mentioned intermediate handling group, which works between the first fold unit and the supplementary fold unit, can be advantageously realized through at least a further fold unit, preferably through two further fold units.

In such a case, the previously mentioned handling that qualifies the cited group has to be understood as a bar engaging activity that comprises the folding of the end portions of the same bars.

Practically, in such a case the first folding bench of the apparatus is associated with or comprises, further to the cited first fold unit, a second fold unit carryng a respective folding head, for serving as intermediate group for handling the bars, in particular for folding a respective end of the bars of the predetermined group.

Similarly, the supplementary folding bench can be associated with or comprise, further to the supplementary fold unit or first supplementary fold unit, also a second supplementary fold unit, in a thoroughly similar way as the first folding bench.

According to such a particular aspect of the invention, then the second supplementary fold unit and the cited second fold unit are qualified and serve as intermediate handling group between the above said first fold unit and said supplementary fold unit.

According to a further aspect of the invention, one fold unit can be arranged fixed with respect to the feeding line, while the other one or the other cooperating ones can be arranged mobile in a way parallel to the feeding line of the bars.

At least one fold unit can usefully comprise a mobile reference member, which can be operated on the respective folding plane, to carry out the double function of taking the bars into a reference position so-called "zero machine" and of re-aligning the bars which could have undergone slight reciprocal displacements after the first alignment step accomplished on the feeding line, following the transfer onto the respective folding bench. More precisely, such a reference member is mobile alternatively between a submerged position with respect to the folding plane and an active position, emerged from the folding plane, to serve as an alignment abutment.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide that the apparatus comprises, for each folding bench, an autonomous group for loading and/or unloading the bars, so as to optimize the flexibility of the apparatus and to enable different work times in both folding stations. [49] The feeding line can provide independent actuation members for each folding bench as well, for example in the case of a roller way or roller conveyor, independent motor drives for each tract of roller conveyor.

[50] The apparatus and the method in hand therefore result advantageous as they enable to minimize, for the same productive yield, the space occupied and the structural complexity of the installation. In fact in the space usually occupied for a machine suitable to shape maximal length pieces, performing only one operating cycle at a time, two even different cycles can be performed instead at the same time, folding at one or both ends, without precluding the possibility of working maximal length pieces, substantially equal to the whole longitudinal extension of the apparatus, also with folds at both ends.

[51 ] In fact the method and the apparatus according to the invention allow to alternate without any limit phases with two folding cycles at a time and phases with only one folding cycle at a time, downstream of the same feeding line. In such a case, for example, it is possible to feed a predetermined number of bars, that is only one group of the same type and length, so that such bars are folded at opposite ends through the previously mentioned folding cycle, respectively by means of the first fold unit and of the supplementary fold unit.

Description of Drawings

[52] Details of the invention shall be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for folding metal rods in bars according to the invention, illustrated for indicative purposes in the attached drawings, wherein:

[53] figure 1 shows a plan schematical view of the apparatus according to the invention;

[54] figures 2a and 2b respectively show a front view of a detail of the apparatus illustrated in figure 1 , according to a first embodiment and to a second embodiment respectively;

[55] figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively show the apparatus according to the invention according to further embodiments;

[56] figures 1 a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a show products which can be realized by means of the apparatuses illustrated in figures 1 , 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively;

[57] figures 7 and 8 respectively show a plan view and a perspective view of the apparatus for folding metal rods in bars according to the invention, according to a different embodiment;

[58] figures from 9 to 12 respectively show a plan view and a perspective view of the same apparatus illustrated in figures 7 and 8 in further operating procedures;

[59] figures 13 and 13A, 14 and 14A, 15 and 15A, 16 and 16A respectively show a scheme plan view of the same apparatus illustrated in figures 7 and 8 in different operating procedures and the products obtained through each operating procedure.

Best mode

[60] With particular reference to such figures, the apparatus for folding rods in bars 2, in particular iron rods for reinforced concrete, is indicated in its totality with 1 . The apparatus 1 comprises a feeding line 3 for the bars 2, a first folding bench 100 and a supplementary folding bench 200, aligned and which can be operated independently along a longitudinal direction arranged at the side of the feeding line 3 (see figure 1 ).

The feeding line 3 preferably comprises a motorized roller conveyor suitable to longitudinally receive the bars 2 destined to be folded through the folding benches 100, 200 placed downstream. The roller conveyor 3 can receive longitudinally the bars 2 to be fed, according to the direction indicated by the arrow A, or transversely, according to the direction indicated by the arrows B, through suitable transfer means (see figure 1 ). More precisely the roller conveyor 3 has a longitudinal extension substantially equal to the maximum length of the bars 2 to be worked, so as to be able to support a bundle of bars 2 or single bars 2 of maximum length, arranged on the same roller conveyor 3 according to a longitudinal orientation.

Therefore, if the bars 2 to be worked do not present a maximum longitudinal extension, the roller conveyor 3 is suitable to receive on a corresponding portion a predetermined number 2a of bars 2 suited to be folded by the first folding bench 100, and a supplementary predetermined number 2b of bars 2 on a remaining portion, suited to be folded by the supplementary folding bench 200, as better described in the following.

Practically, if the transfer of the above said bars 2 to the roller conveyor 3 occurs transversely, the roller conveyor 3 can receive the predetermined number 2a of bars 2 and the supplementary predetermined number 2b of bars 2 even at the same time. Otherwise, if the transfer to the roller conveyor 3 occurs longitudinally, as previously disclosed, the above said distinct bundles of bars 2 can be received by the roller conveyor 3 in sequence.

The roller conveyor 3 also comprises alignment means 7 to warrant the correct alignment of the fed bars 2. The alignment means 7 preferably shape a flat abutment wall arranged in a fixed manner at the end of the roller conveyor 3.

The roller conveyor 3 preferably comprises supplementary alignment means 70, suitable to ensure the correct placement of the supplementary bars 2 suited to be folded through the supplementary folding bench 200. In particular the supplementary alignment means 70, which are thoroughly similar to the alignment means 7, can be mounted mobile alternatively foldaway, to allow the roller conveyor 3 to receive the bars longitudinally.

It is further to be noted that the motorized rollers which move and take the ends of the bars 2 in abutment against the above said alignment means 7 and the supplementary alignment means 70, when provided, can be grouped at will in relation to the length of the bars 2 being worked, so as to operate in an autonomous manner and serve each the first folding bench 100 and the supplementary folding bench 200, according to the requirements of the productive cycle. The first folding bench 100 comprises, according to the embodiment illustrated in figure 1 , a first fold unit 1 10 arranged at the side of the roller conveyor 3 and carrying a folding head 4. The supplementary folding bench 200 comprises a respective supplementary fold unit 210, arranged as well at the side of the roller conveyor 3 and carrying a folding head 4.

Each folding head 4 can be of any type. For example the folding head 4 can carry a couple of shapes and an excentric folding pin, mobile about the couple of shapes for folding the material interposed between the same shapes. Otherwise, for example, the folding head 4 can provide a fold tool consisting in a central fold mandrel 42 associated with the excentric fold pin 41 , further to a fixed abutment suitable to block in a suitable way the piece during the working phase.

The first fold unit 1 10 and the supplementary fold unit 210 are arranged mobile with respect to each other, along a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the feeding line 3, whereon the bars 2 to be folded are longitudinally arranged, according to the predetermined number 2a and the supplementary predetermined number 2b, respectively.

In the illustrated case the fold units 1 10, 210 are arranged mobile with respect to each other on rails, not illustrated in the figures for the sake of simplicity, in order to enable the positioning and the folding of bars 2 of any length, in particular to obtain shaped bars 2' with one folded end (see figure 1 ) or with both ends folded. Alternatively, further configurations can be provided, as described in the following.

Moreover each folding bench 100, 200 can be provided with autonomous load means for loading the predetermined number 2a of bars 2 to the folding bench 100 and for loading the supplementary predetermined number 2b of bars 2 to the supplementary folding bench 200. The apparatus also comprises an intermediate handling group 120 for handling the end portions of the bars 2, with a double handling, interposed between the first fold unit 1 10 and the supplementary fold unit 210, independent and mobile with respect to the same units along the cited longitudinal direction parallel to the feeding line 3. The intermediate group 120 is suitable to engage an end portion of the predetermined number 2a of bars 2 as well as an end portion of the supplementary predetermined number 2b of bars 2. More precisely the aforesaid end portions of the bars 2 engaged by the intermediate group 120 are opposite to respective end portions of the same bars 2, engaged by the folding heads 4 of the first fold unit 1 10 and of the supplementary fold unit 210.

In other words, the intermediate group 120 has bilateral handling means, thus acting on the bars 2 being worked on the first fold unit 1 10 as well as on the bars 2 being worked on the supplementary fold unit 210.

The intermediate group 120 is basically suitable to cooperate in the first folding bench 100, for folding the predetermined number 2a of bars 2, as well as in the supplementary folding bench 200, for folding the supplementary predetermined number 2b of bars 2, in such a way as to enable the performing of folding cycles simultaneously on the first folding bench 100 and on the supplementary folding bench 200.

The intermediate group 120 is suitable to handle the ends of the bars 2 to drive the portions of bars 2 to be folded to the respective folding heads 4.

To such an aim the intermediate group 120 is made mobile with respect to the first folding bench 100 and to the supplementary folding bench 200.

The intermediate group 120a can comprise for example a first pliers member 121 and a second pliers member 122 carried by the same support structure 130. The first pliers member 121 and the second pliers member 122 are placed side by side along the longitudinal direction, parallel to the feeding line 3, to block the end of the bars 2 of the predetermined number 2a and the end of the bars 2 of the supplementary predetermined number 2b respectiveley. Preferably the first pliers member 121 and the second pliers member 122 can be operated in an autonomous way, further than, as an example, being able to engage bars 2 with different diameters at the same time.

Alternatively the intermediate group 120b can comprise, for example, a support member 123 shaping a first abutment wall 124a, in order to contrast, in abutment, the ends of the predetermined number 2a of bars 2, and a second abutment wall 124b, opposite to the first abutment wall 124a, to contrast, in abutment, the ends of the supplementary predetermined number 2b of bars 2 (see figures 2a and 2b).

In any case, the intermediate group 120 is suitable to provide the reference necessary for positioning the bars 2, for folding these latter by means of the folding bench 100 and of the supplementary folding bench 200.

Alternatively, the intermediate group 120 can be fixed, while the fist fold unit 1 10 and the supplementary fold unit 210 can be mobile along the same longitudinal direction, to enable the positioning and consequently the folding of bars 2 of any dimension, which are fed from the feeding line 3. Again, as an alternative, one of the fold units can be fixed, while the intermediate group 120 and the remaining fold unit can be mobile, still in order to fold the bars 2 according to two folding cycles at the same time.

In order to allow the correct positioning of the bars 2 with respect to the fold members, the folding head 4 of the fold units 1 10, 210 can be preferably provided with integrated grip members 43, arranged upstream of the fold members 41 , 42, to engage the bars 2 in proximity of the section to be folded.

Moreover at least one folding head 4 can also comprise an alignment member 44 that can be operated upon control, integrated to the fold unit as well, for example partially hidden with respect to the plane of the folding head 4, to serve as an alignment abutment for the bars in proximity of the section to be folded. The functioning of the apparatus according to the invention can be understood from the previous description.

The apparatus 1 can work bundles of metal rods having different lengths at the same time, the sum of which is not longer than the longitudinal extension of the feeding line 3, or whose length is substantially equal to half the longitudinal extension of the feeding line 3. Practically, the apparatus 1 is prearranged to perform at the same time two folding cycles, activating both the first folding bench 100 and the supplementary folding bench 200 (see figure 1 ). Single bars or respective bundles of bars 2 to be folded are then transferred, for example from a suitable store, to the roller conveyor 3, longitudinally occupying a corresponding portion.

The first folding bench 100 can be suited to shape the predetermined number 2a of bars 2, while the supplementary folding bench 200 can be set up for working, according to an even different operating cycle, a supplementary predetermined number 2b of bars 2, equal or different in number, diameter and length with respect to the bars 2 of the predetermined number 2a.

As an example, in the case illustrated in figure 1 , the first folding bench 100 is suitable to shape at each cycle one bar 2, while the supplementary bench 200 a supplementary number 2b equal to two. Obviously, it is possible to provide folding cycles suitable to work different numbers of bars.

With reference to figure 1 , the fold units 1 10, 210 are reciprocally positioned, in a way as to enable the folding of the bars by means of the folding heads 4.

The load means of each folding bench 100, 200 are activated, in a way as to load the respective bundles or predetermined numbers of bars 2a, 2b to be shaped on the folding heads 4. Practically the bars 2 are engaged at one end by the intermediate group 120, and at the opposite end by the members of the respective folding head 4.

At last both folding benches placed side by side are then operated to follow at the same time two shaping cycles on the same apparatus 1 . In order to complete such cycles, the intermediate group 120, the first fold unit 1 10 and the supplementary fold unit 210 can be reciprocally positioned again more times, so as to allow the performing of successive folds. In particular, the intermediate group 120 enables to engage the ends of the bars 2, taking the same close to the folding heads 4 of the respective fold units 1 10, 210. In such a way the group 120 makes it possible to realize shaped pieces with the same folding head 4.

It is to be noted that the apparatus 1 according to the invention can work at the same time bundles of bars of different lengths. In particular, a portion of the apparatus can work bars 2 which are shorter than the half of the roller conveyor 3, for example through the first folding bench 100, while the remaining portion of the apparatus 1 can then work bars 2 which are longer than the half of the roller conveyor 3, with the remaining folding bench 200. [94] In this case, the first fold unit 1 10 and the intermediate group 120 are arranged reciprocally closer in a corresponding manner, to work the bars 2 in a reduced area at the side of the roller conveyor 3, while the supplementary fold unit 210 of the supplementary folding bench 200 and the same intermediate group 120 are arranged reciprocally distanced in a corresponding manner to house the longer bars 2.

[95] At this point the bars 2, according to the respective predetermined numbers 2a, 2b, are loaded on both folding heads 4 so as to be shaped, as previously described, thus accomplishing two folding cycles at the same time.

[96] According to a further operating mode, not illustrated, it is possible to set up the apparatus 1 in a way as to operate only one folding bench 100, 200. For example one of the fold units 1 10, 210 can be approached to the end of the roller conveyor 3 in inactive position, while the remaining fold unit and the intermediate group 120 can be reciprocally distanced so as to receive the bundle of bars 2 to be shaped, for example in a way as to extend further than the centre line of the apparatus 1 , or viceversa.

[97] According to a further embodiment illustrated in figure 3 it is possible to provide that the intermediate group to be split in two, comprising a first intermediate group 125 and a second intermediate group 126, functionally totally similar to the unique intermediate group 120 previously disclosed. In such a case, each intermediate group 125, 126 provides for example an autonomous pliers member or positioning member for the bars 2, suitable to cooperate with the respective folding head 4 of the first folding bench 100, and of the supplementary folding bench 200, respectively. When, as in this case, each intermediate group 125, 126 provides an autonomous pliers member, said member can grasp any portion of the respective group or predetermined number of bars, not necessarily the end, so as, for example, to reduce the flexion of the bars being worked.

[98] Each intermediate group 125, 126 basically serves a respective folding head 4, to enable the positioning of a respective group of bars 2 to be folded. Preferably the intermediate groups 125, 126 are mobile in longitudinal direction, being for example provided that the first fold unit 1 10 to be fixed, while the supplementary fold unit 210 to be mobile in the same longitudinal direction. In such a case it is appropriate that the alignment member 44 which can be operated, previously cited, is provided for each folding head 4 (see figure 3). The apparatus 1 therefore allows to obtain products which are folded and shaped according two folding cycles at the same time (see figure 3a).

[99] Alternatively both fold units 1 10, 210 can be provided mobile (see figures 4 and 5) in order to accomplish products which are folded and shaped indifferently (see figures 4a and 5a).

[100] Furthermore, it is useful that the feeding line 3 is provided with a double motor drive, each serving a folding bench 100, 200 and subjected to a respective abutment member, for aligning the bars 2 to be transferred to each bench. [101 ] In particular in figure 5 is schematized a further embodiment, totally similar to the one previously disclosed, but in which the feeding line 3 is structurally subdivided in two portions, each provided with an autonomous motor drive. In such case each folding bench 100, 200 is therefore preferably suitable to work at one end of the feeding line 3. For each portion of the line 3 is further provided an abutment member which can be operated, for aligning the bars 2 to be fed, suitable to cooperate with the corresponding alignment member 7, 70 arranged at the ends of the line 3.

[102] According to a further version, illustrated in figure 6, the apparatus can comprise a mobile fold unit, for example the first unit 1 10, arranged fixed, served by the respective intermediate group 125 mobile with respect thereto in the longitudinal direction, while the remaining fold unit 210 and the respective second intermediate group 126 are both mobile in the same longitudinal direction. In this case it will be possible to arrange the fold unit 210 at the end or at any other position considered more suitable, and it will be possible to realize the relative motion between the supplementary fold unit 210 and the respective second intermediate group 126 following the movement of both or of one of them.

[103] According to a further version of the apparatus, illustrated in the figures from 7 to 16, it is possible to provide that the aforesaid intermediate group, operating between the first fold unit and the supplementary fold unit, to be realized through one or more further fold units. In such a case, the aforesaid handling can then consist in one or more folding actions on end portions of the bars 2.

[104] More precisely, in such a case the first folding bench 10 of the apparatus 1 comprises, further to the cited first fold unit 1 1 , a second fold unit 12, carrying a respective folding head 4, which functions as an intermediate group for handling the bars 2, in particular for folding a respective end of the bars of the predetermined group 2a.

[105] The first fold unit 1 1 and the second fold unit 12 are arranged mobile with respect to each other, along a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the feeding line 3, whereon the bars 2 to be folded are arranged longitudinally.

[106] Preferably the first fold unit 1 1 is arranged fixed at one end of the roller conveyor 3, while the second fold unit 12 is arranged mobile on rails 5, in a way as to enable the positioning and the folding of bars 2 of any length, in particular to obtain shaped bars 2' particularly with both ends folded (see figure 13A). Alternatively, both fold units 1 1 , 12 can be mobile on the rails 5.

[107] Similarly the supplementary folding bench 20 can comprise, further to the supplementary fold unit 21 or first supplementary fold unit, also a second supplementary fold unit 22, in a way totally similar to what has been previously illustrated for the folding bench 10.

[108] Then, in such a case, also the second supplementary fold unit 22, as well as the second fold unit 12, works as an intermediate handling group between the first fold unit 10 and the supplementary fold unit 21 . ] The first supplementary fold unit 21 can be advantageously arranged fixed at the other end of the roller conveyor 3, opposite to the first fold unit 1 1 preferably fixed, while the second supplementary fold unit 22 can be mounted mobile, sliding on the rails 5, so as to be able to be approached or distanced with respect to the first fold unit 1 1 and to the first supplementary fold unit 21 , according to the production requirements. Alternative both fold units 21 , 22 can be provided mobile on the rails 5.

] Practically the fold units 1 1 , 12, 21 , 22 of the folding bench 10 and of the supplementary folding bench 20 can be sliding on railways 5 which constitute the prolongation of each other.] It is important to observe that the first supplementary fold unit 21 and the second supplementary fold unit 22 can be operated independently, to work in cooperation or singularly to help a fold unit 1 1 , 12 of the folding bench 10.

] Moreover each folding bench 10, 20 can be provided with autonomous load means 30 for loading the predetermined number 2a of bars 2 to the folding bench 10 and for loading the supplementary predetermined number 2b of bars 2 to the supplementary folding bench 20 (see figure 8).

] The load means 30 can be realized in a known way through a tilting arm associated with a fixed chute constrained to the fold unit. The fixed chute shapes at the upper side an inclined surface preferably plane, suitable to enable the rolling through gravity of the bars 2 from an upper position to a lower position, at which the same loaded bars 2 result engaged in a central section corresponding to the zone comprised between the folder members of the folding head 4, previously described.

] The tilting arm 30 comprises a load portion that extends beyond a discharge portion. More precisely the load portion is separated by the discharge portion, through a shoulder suitable to prevent the rolling towards the discharge portion of the bars 2 supported by the load portion. The tilting arm 30 is furthermore pivoted at one side of the folding head 4 on the framework of the fold unit 1 1 , 12, 21 , 22.

] An actuator controls the alternated operation of the tilting arm 30 from a lower position substantially horizontal to an upper inclined position. At the cited lower position the load portion stands at a height underneath the roller conveyor 3, in order to load the bars. Following the rotation of the tilting arm 30 the load portion is suitable to rise with respect to the plane of the roller conveyor 3 until the cited upper position, thus lifting the predetermined number 2a of bars 2 or the supplementary predetermined number 2b of bars 2 above the fixed chute of the fold unit. By goining on with the lifting of the arm 30, the loaded bars 2 are taken through gravity against the shoulder, thus remaining retained thereby. The subsequent lowering of the tilting arm 30 will take the bars 2 in contact with the inclined surface of the fixed chute constrained to the fold unit, whereon the bars 2 will slide untill falling in the excentric central section between the folder members of the folding head 4. [1 16] The functioning of such an embodiment is totally similar to what has been previously described.

[1 17] Also in this case both folding benches 10, 20 positioned side by side are basically operated as previously described, to perform, preferably at the same time, two shaping cycles on the same apparatus 1 .

[1 18] In particular it is to be underlined only that according to a possible operating mode, illustrated schematically in figures 12, and 12A, in a configuration substantially similar to the one previously described, for example overturned, one of the provided fold units can be operated to work pieces which can be obtained with only one folding head 4, for example open or closed stirrups 2' or similar pieces.

[1 19] A further operating mode allows to obtain maximum length pieces using a fixed fold unit, for example the first fold unit 1 1 , in cooperation with one of the remaining available fold units of the other folding bench.

[120] For example figure 15 illustrates the case wherein the first fold unit 1 1 of the folding bench 10 cooperates with the second fold unit 22, that is intermediate, of the supplementary folding bench 20, for obtaining relatively long shaped pieces 2' (see figure 15A), but having a length shorter than the maximum length possible for the apparatus 1 .

[121 ] Again, figure 16 illustrates the case wherein the first fold unit 1 1 of the folding unit 10 cooperates with the first supplementary fold unit 21 of the supplementary folding bench 20, at one end, in order to obtain shaped pieces 2' (see figure 16A) with a length substantially equal to the maximum one possible for the apparatus 1 . Obviously, for each illustrated operating mode, it is possible to use the folding bench 10 instead of the supplementary folding bench 20 and vice versa, for obtaining similar combinations of shaped pieces as well as not shaped pieces.

[122] At last in each one of the described embodiments it is possible to provide further intermediate supports, arranged fixed or mobile between the fold units, for reducing the flexure of the bars being worked. The above said support will result suitably dislocated between the intermediate group 120 ad the first folding bench 10, 100, and between the intermediate group 120 and the supplementary folding bench 20, 200.

[123] The apparatus for folding metal rods in bars according to the invention therefore attains the scope of enabling to operate in an optimal manner the folding of rods in bars, in particular reducing at the maximum the space occupied and optimizing the productive yield.

[124] In practice, the embodiments of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions, may vary depending on the requirements.

[125] Should the technical characteristics mentioned in each claim be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing the understanding the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any manner whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes by such reference signs.