US3847005A

US3847005A - Bell wire expander

Info

Publication number: US3847005A
Application number: US00380595A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Criner
Original assignee: KYLE Inc
Current assignee: KYLE Inc
Priority date: 1973-07-19
Filing date: 1973-07-19
Publication date: 1974-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-12

Abstract

A bell wire expander includes a plurality of shoes for engaging the inside surface of a cage wire reinforcing mesh to form the bell end thereof by moving outwardly. The shoes are mounted on quarter tables provided with a plurality of pairs of mounting holes so that shoes sized to expand cage mesh bodies of different diameters may be mounted thereon. A centering guide includes a plurality of guide plates which are adjustably mounted to accommodate cage mesh bodies of different diameters. The shoes are driven outwardly by a pair of hydraulic cylinders which rotate a motor plate. The motor plate has arcuate cam slots cooperating with cam followers depending from linkage bars mounted on the quarter tables. A top plate has radial guide slots for guiding the linkage bars.

Description

United States Patent Criner Nov. 12, 1974 BELL WIRE EXPANDER Primary E.run1iner-Lowell A. Larson [75] Inventor: Joseph C. Criner, Marietta, GZL Attorney, Agar", 0r Firm-Raphael Scmmcs [73] Assignee: Kyle Incorporated, Tucker, Ga. 22 Filed: July 19, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT [2]] Appl No: 380,595 A bell wire e tpa nder includes a plurality of shoes for engaging the inside surface of a cage wire reinforcing mesh to form the bell end thereof by moving out- [52] U.S. Cl. 72/393, 140/ 107 wardly. The shoes are mounted on quarter tables pro- [51] Int. Cl 821d 41/02 vided with a plurality of pairs of mounting holes so Field Of Search that shoes sized to expand cage mesh bodies of differ- 113/120 M ent diameters may be mounted thereon. A centering guide includes a plurality of guide plates which are ad- [56] References Cited justably mounted to accommodate cage mesh bodies UNITED STATES PATENTS of different diameters. The shoes are driven outwardly 1,008 652 11/1911 Kremer 279 2 by a 11air of hydraulic Cylinders which rotate a motor 2313:7423 3/1943 Hothersanm 72/399 plate. The motor plate has arcuate cam slots cooperat- 2,654,413 10/1953 weidel 279 2 ing with cam followers depending from linkage bars 3,267,560 8/1966 Rejeski .i 72/399 mounted on the quarter tables. A top plate has radial 3,415,105 l2/l968 Brown et al. 72/399 guide slots for guiding the linkage bars. 3,578,036 5/1971 Francois 140/107 16 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PM REV 12 1974 ENTED sum 3 OF 5 3.847.005

BELL WIRE EXPANDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to expander apparatus and, more particularly, to a bell wire expander for expanding the bell end of a cage mesh reinforcement for reinforced concrete pipe sections.

There have been a number of proposals in the prior art to expand cylindrical and tubular bodies by moving a die segment or expansion shoe outwardly against the inside surface thereof. Devices of this type have also been used for forming the bell section of cage mesh reinforcements. However, the prior art machines have tended to be complex requiring a great deal of upkeep. In addition, the machines of the prior art have been designed to fit cylindrical bodies of a particular size. When it became necessary to expand a cage mesh of a different size, it was necessary to provide separate apparatus sized appropriately for the diameter of the other cylindrical body. In addition, the prior art apparatus has had no convenient manner of guiding the cylindrical body to be expanded upon the apparatus in position for expansion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly the principal object of the invention to provide improved bell wire expander apparatus which avoids the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide an expansion apparatus which includes means for receiving expansion shoes appropriate to differently sized cylindrical bodies to be expanded. A related object pertains to the provision of quarter tables for receiving such expansion shoes, which may be readily interchanged to select the appropriate size, and means for moving said quarter tables outwardly to engage the expansion shoes against the inside surface of the cylindrical body to be expanded.

Another object of the invention relates to the provision of central guiding means for guiding the cylindrical body to be expanded onto the apparatus. A related object pertains to adjustable means for adjusting the size of the central guiding means so as to receive cylindrical bodies of different diameters.

An additional object of the invention relates to the provision of a simple, yet effective drive system for moving the expansion shoes outwardly for expanding a cylindrical body positioned thereon.

To these ends, the invention contemplates the provision of a plurality of quarter tables for mounting selectively a plurality of expansion shoes of a particular size adapted to cooperate with a cylindrical body of a particular diameter. For this purpose, each of the quarter tables is provided with a plurality of mounting holes which are spaced outwardly along separate radial lines. Each of the expansion shoes is provided with a pair of spaced mounting holes which have a spacing equal to the spacing between a particular pair of mounting holes on the quarter table. In this way, a particular expansion shoe may be mounted only at a particular position on a quarter table. The apparatus includes means for moving the quarter tables outwardly for engaging the expansion shoes against the inside surface of the cylindrical body to be expanded. The driving means includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders which are coupled to a motor plate to rotate the motor plate upon contraction of the cylinders. The motor plate has a plurality of arcuate cam slots which are engaged with cam followers depending from linkage bars upon which the quarter tables are mounted. There is, in addition, a top plate having a plurality of radial slots which serves to guide the linkage bars radially outwardly upon rotation of the motor plate. In order to guide a cylindrical body, such as a cage mesh reinforcement, onto the expansion apparatus, it includes centering means in the form of a centering post and a plurality of centering guides adjustably mounted radially outwardly from the centering posts so that cylindrical bodies of different diameter may be guided onto the apparatus.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when taken in conjunction with the attached drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cage mesh reinforcement to be expanded by apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cage mesh reinforcement which has been expanded at its bell end by apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial section view of a concrete pipe section reinforced by a cage mesh reinforcement of the type shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of expansion apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 showing the hydraulic cylinders in their retracted condition;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial section view corresponding generally to the view of FIG. 5 with the centering post and removable expansion shoe omitted for clarity and showing a hydraulic cylinder in its expanded condition;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the top plate of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a partial section view of the centering means of the preferred embodiment taken along a vertical plane through the central axis of the apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the motor plate of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the quarter table of the preferred embodiment; and

FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are plan views of expansion shoes usuable with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus of the present invention has particular utility for the purpose of expanding bell ends on cage mesh reinforcements. It is to be understood, however, that the apparatus has broader applicability and may, indeed, be employed for expanding hollow, cylindrical or tubular bodies in general. In the present specification, however, it will be described with reference to a cage mesh as shown in FIG. 1. The cage mesh 2 is formed as an open woven mesh of wires and includes convoluted wires 3 at the end of the mesh which will become the bell end thereof after expansion. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, where an expanded bell end 4 has been formed in cage mesh 2 in the region of convoluted wires 3. This expanded cage mesh is employed as reinforcement for a concrete pipe section as is illustrated in FIG. 3 where cage mesh 2 is shown embedded within concrete pipe section 6. It will be noted that the concrete pipe section is formed with a bell end 8 within which bell end 4 of the cage mesh is embedded.

Turning to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, it will be noted that the apparatus includes a round steel base plate 10 which is provided with a vertical side wall 12 of rolled steel plate welded to the flat base plate. Side wall 12 is provided with two

welded lugs

14 and 14 on its inside surface positioned at points 180 apart. These lugs are intended to anchor a pair of hydraulic cylinders as will be presently described. A pair of

lifting lugs

16 and 16 are positioned on the outside surface of side wall 12 and serve as means for handling the complete assembly. A pair of hydraulic fittings 18 extend through side wall 12 and are provided for connection to hydraulic hoses (not shown) feeding hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders inside the unit and for connection to hydraulic pump outside the unit. Four

steel plate segments

20, 22, 24 and 26 for strengthening the side wall are welded flush with the top of side wall 12 and are drilled and tapped to receive the top plate to be presently described.

In the center of base plate 10 is provided a one inch thick steel plate 28 which is drilled and tapped to receive a pivot pin 34. Thus, referring to FIG. 5, it will be noted that a threaded hole 30 is provided through plate 28 in alignment with a threaded hole 32 through base plate 10. Pivot pin 34 has a threaded stud 36, which is received in

holes

30 and 32 at its bottom end, and at its top end is provided with a threaded stud 37 which extends through an opening 46 of a top plate 40. Threaded stud 37 is secured to top plate 40 by means of a nut 38 and washer 39 which engages the top surface of top plate 40.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, it will be noted that top plate 40 is a circular steel plate provided with a pair of upstanding lugs 42 and 42' which are positioned contiguous to

lugs

16 and 16 respectively on side wall 12. Lugs 42 and 42' are provided with bolt holes aligned with the lift holes in lifting

lug

16 and 16 to receive bolts 44 and 44' by means of which lugs 42 and 42' are bolted to the base assembly and above the bolt holes with lift holes. As mentioned above, top plate 40 is provided with a center hole 46 to receive the upstanding stud 37 of pivot pin 34 and is provided with a series of bolt holes at a 5 inch radius which are drilled and tapped to receive the centering post, as will be presently described. There are, in addition, four guide slots 48 extending outwardly along four radial lines of top plate 40. It will be noted that guide slots 48 may begin at a position which is spaced 8 inches from the center of top plate 40 and extend to a position 32 inches from the center of top plate 40. As will be apparent from FIG. 7, each of the guide slots 48 extend along radial lines spaced at 90 from each other. Each of the guide slots 48 are lined along the long sides thereof with

bronze guide channels

50 and 52 which serve to reduce the opening to 2 one-half inches. As will be described hereinafter, guide slots 48 will receive linkage bars 114, serving to guide these linkage bars along radial lines extending outwardly from the center of top plate 40. It will also be noted that top plate 40 is provided with a pair of

hand holes

54 and 54 in the form of cut-outs in top plate 40 which will serve to facilitate the removal of top plate 40 from the base when it is necessary to disassemble the machine. In order to provide leveling and reduce the friction for the quarter tables to be described hereinafter as they move over top plate 40a number of bronze washers (not shown) are screwed into top plate 40.

In order to guide and center a cylindrical body which is to be expanded by the apparatus, centering means is provided. This means takes the form of a centering post 56 in the form of an 8 inch diameter steel tube which is weld-mounted on a round plate ring 58 having a central hole and four mounting holes for mounting the ring on top plate 40 by means of bolts 60. As is best seen in FIG. 8, four pieces of 1 inch

square tubing

62, 63, 64, and 65 pass through aligned holes near the top end of centering post 56. It will be noted that one end of each of

tubes

62, 63, 64 and 65 is welded flush with the outside surface of centering post 56, while the other end of each tube projects about 2 inches beyond the centering post 56. It will be noted that

square tubes

62, 63, 64 and 65 extend from centering post 56 at points which are spaced 90 apart. Each of the

square tubes

62, 63, 64 and 65 is provided with a pair of aligned holes in the portion extending beyond centering post 56 for receiving a keeper pin 66. This keeper pin will cooperate with one of a plurality of holes provided in a centering guide rod 69 provided in each of a plurality of centering guides 68. It will be noted that centering guides 68 include a vertical guide plate 70 having bent ends so as to readily receive a cylindrical body before it is expanded for guiding it down over the expansion shoes. Since guide rods 69 have a series of holes, it will be readily understood that by removing keeper pin 66 each centering guide 68 may be moved inwardly or outwardly to an adjusted position and then locked in this position by reinserting keeper pin 66. By virtue of centering guides 68, it is ensured that the bell formed on the cylindrical body or cage mesh 2 will be concentric with the unexpanded bell of the cage.

Turning to FIG. 9, it will be noted that the apparatus includes a motor plate 72 formed from a circular steel plate and contains four arcuate cam slots 74 spaced at 90 intervals. The centers of the arcs of cam slots 74 are off-set 5 three-fourth inches on quadrant lines from the center of plate 72 in such a manner that each slot begins at a point ll three-fourth inches from the center of the plate and ends at a greater distance from the center (approximately 16 one-half inches) and directly outside the beginning end of the adjacent slot. A pair of pivot lugs 76 are welded to the bottom of motor plate 72, being spaced apart by 180. These lugs are also spaced 45 from the aforementioned quadrant lines. Pivot lugs 76 serve to receive a clevis 78 and clevis pin 80 securing the end of two hydraulic cylinder rods 126. As will be presently explained, these cylinder rods will serve to rotate motor plates 72. At the center of motor plate 72 are a plurality of holes 82 by means of which motor plate 72 is attached to a hub 86. Holes 82 are aligned with corresponding holes in a hub flange 88 and are bolted thereto by bolts 84. I-Iub 86 is mounted for rotation about pivot pin 34 by means of a thrust bearing 90 which is supported on plate 28.

As will be noted from FIG. 4, the apparatus include four quarter tables 92, 93, 94, which are spaced at 90 intervals about the center of the apparatus. The construction of the quarter tables will be best understood by referring to FIG. 10 which shows quarter table 92. Each of the quarter tables is a 90 circular segment of 1/2 inches thick steel plate having an outside radius diameter of 26 inches and a central cut-out radius of 4 one-half inches at 96. As previously mentioned, each of the quarter tables is positioned above top plate 40 for movement thereover. Each quarter table has a flat bar 98 welded to its underneath side, serving as an abutment engaged with linkage bar 114 so as to relieve the stress on the mounting screws which connect linkage bar 114 to the corresponding quarter table. One basic shoe 100 in the form of an arcuate wallextending upwardly from the upper surface of the quarter table is welded to each of the quarter tables. This shoe is a 3/4 inches by 5 inches flat bar rolled to a radius of approximately 8 three-fourth inches and cut to fit the edges of the quarter table at a 6 one-half inch radius.

In addition to the basic shoe 100, a plurality of differently

sized shoes

102, 102a, 102b, 102e, 102d, 102e and 102f are provided, each rolled to a different radius. As will be presently explained, a shoe appropriate to the size of the cylindrical body to be expanded may be selected and attached to the quarter table. As is seen in FIG. 11, a replaceable shoe 102 is shown having a flat shoe base 103 which is positioned directly on the quarter table. An arcuate shoe wall 104 is upstanding from base 103 and serves as the expansion surface engaging the inside surface of the cylindrical body to be expanded. Reinforcement to prevent bending of shoe wall 104 is provided by three

gussets

105, 106 and 107 extending rearwardly of wall 104 on base 103. It will be noted that base 103 is provided with a pair of mounting holes 109 which, as will be explained hereinafter, will cooperate with a pair of mounting holes 108 provided on the quarter table. FIG. 12 shows a shoe 102a intended to be used to expand a cylindrical body of slightly smaller diameter. This shoe is also provided with a base 103a, a shoe wall 104a, and gussets 105a, 106a, and 107a. A pair of mounting holes 109a are also provided, being spaced apart a distance which is equal to the spacing of a cooperating pair of mounting holes 108 on the quarter table. FIG. 13 shows a shoe 102b of slightly smaller size adapted to cooperate with a somewhat smaller cylindrical body. Here, again, a base 10317 has an upstanding arcuate shoe wall 104b,

gussets

105b, 106b, and 107b, and spaced mounting holes 1091;. FIG. 14 shows a still smaller shoe 1026 including a base wall 1030, an upstanding arcuate shoe wall 104e, gussets 1050, 1060, and 107C, and mounting holes 1090. FIG. 15 shows a still smaller shoe 102d having a base wall 103d, an arcuate shoe wall 104d,

gussets

105d, 106d, and 107d, and mounting holes 109d. FIG. 16 shows a still smaller shoe 102e, having a base wall 103e, an upstanding arcuate shoe wall 104e, gussets 105e, 106e, and 107e, and mounting holes'103e. FIG. 17 shows a still smaller shoe 102 this shoe being for cylindrical bodies of a diameter one size larger than the smallest diameter to be received by the apparatus, which diameter cylindrical bodies will be accommodated by the fixed basic shoe 100. Shoe 102f does not include a base wall, having, however, an arcuate shoe wall 104f, and three brace walls 105f, l06f, and 107f. Instead of a pair of mounting holes, shoe 102f is provided with a single mounting hole 109 extending through wall 104f and brace wall 106f. When shoe 102f is mounted on a quarter table, hole 109 is aligned with a hole 101 through basic shoe 100 and a bolt is passed through holes 109 and 101 to secure shoel02f to the table.

Returning to FIG. 10, it will be noted that quarter table 92, and each of the other tables as well, it provided with two lines of mounting holes 108 which extend radially from the center of the circular segment forming quarter table 92. It will be observed that each pair of mounting holes 108 progressing outwardly from the innermost mounting holes are spaced further and further apart. By this means, it is possible to select a particular shoe having mounting holes with the same spacing as a pair of mounting holes on the quarter table so that the particular shoe selected will be positioned in the proper position on the quarter table. That is, each shoe of different size has a pair of mounting holes spaced apart a distance corresponding to the distance between corresponding mounting holes 108 at the same position along the radial lines of the quarter table. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a shoe 102, or one of the other shoes shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 may be attached by bolts 108' to the four quarter tables having its shoe wall 104 positioned at the proper position outwardly of the center of the apparatus for engaging the inside diameter of a particular cylindrical body to be expanded. Basic shoe -is intended to expand the smallest cylindrical body to be used with the device. For example, a cage mesh which is 12 inches in diameter may be expanded by basic shoes 100. The four shoes 100 form a broken circle whose radius is 8 three-fourth inches and which forms the proper size bell cage. 12 inch pipe is the smallest diameter reinforced concrete pipe made under ASTM C 76 specifications, the basic specification of the trade; and therefore this set of shoes may remain on the quarter tables at all times. When, however, the apparatus is used in conjunction with the 12 inch diameter pipe, the shoes 102 are not mounted on the quarter tables.

As is seen in FIG. 10, the quarter tables are provided with a pair of countersunk holes 110. These holes are aligned with corresponding holes in linkage bar 114 so that a pair of screws 112 may secure the quarter table to the linkage bar 114. This arrangement is shown for quarter table 94 in FIG. 6. The quarter table is also provided with a hole 111 along the center line for receiving a nut 119 for securing the cam follower 116. Cam follower 116 has a threaded shaft 117 which extends upwardly through a hole in linkage bar 114 to receive nut 119 positioned in hole 111. It will be noted that the threaded stud engages the threads of the opening in bar 114 and also serves to support a cam follower sleeve 118 at a point below the bar. Cam follower sleeve 118 will ride within cam slot 74 so that rotation of motor plate 72 will cause cam follower 116 to move linkage bar 114. v

Linkage bars 114 are machined from steel bars and are designed to slide in radial slots 48 of cover plate 40. By this means they are guided radially outwardly as cam followers 116 are moved outwardly from the center of the apparatus upon rotation of motor plate 72.

The driving mechanism of the device includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders 120 positioned at diametrically opposed positions on base wall 12. In order to secure hydraulic cylinders 120 to the lugs 14 and 14', they are provided with a yoke 122 and pin 124. It will be noted that each hydraulic cylinder 120 includes a cylinder rod 126 which, as was explained before, is connected to lug 76 depending from motor plate 72.

An electric motor (not shown) is employed for driving a hydraulicpump to pump hydraulic fluid from a fluid reservoir (not shown). Various controls and adjustable limit switches may be provided for facilitating the operation of the device. The hydraulic pump will supply hydraulic fluid to the pair of hydraulic cylinders 120 so as to cause them to contract or expand as desired. The fluid will be supplied through fluid couplings 18 extending through side wall 12 of the base.

In the operation of the device, a straight, unexpanded cage mesh 2 with convoluted wires 3 down is placed over the centering guides 70, which are adjusted to a radial position at which opposed centering guides 70 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the inside diameter of the cage 2 being placed on the apparatus. Cage 2 is then slipped downwardly until the unexpanded end thereof is positioned about the shoes on the quarter tables. Again, the shoes are selected so that the shoe walls 104 are positioned apart, for opposed shoes, a distance which is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the unexpanded cage. If the cage is of the 12 inches diameter, which as explained above is the smallest cage which will be employed with the apparatus, the removable shoes are omitted from the table and the end of the cage is slipped over basic shoes 100. If a larger cage mesh is employed, removable shoes 102 of appropriate size are mounted on the quarter tables. Hydraulic cylinders 120,'which are normally in the expanded position, are then actuated by the operator who pushes an electric solenoid valve switch button. Fluid is then pumped from the cylinders to the fluid reservoir, and the cylinder rods pull the motor plate in rotation about center pivot pin 34 thus forcing cam followers 116 to move radially ourwardly by engagement with rotating cam slot 74. This, in turn, causes linkage bars 114 to move radially outwardly in guide slots 48 of top plate 40. Since the quadrant quarter tables are mounted on the linkage bars they, and the shoes mounted thereon, are moved outwardly as well. Since the shoes will engage the inside surface of the cage mesh in the region of the convoluted circumferential wires 3, the bell end of the cage mesh 2 is expanded to the bell shape as shown in FIG. 2. Operation of a second switch or contact by the operator or contact with an adjustable limit switch reverses the cylinder action retracting the shoes. Thereafter, the finished cage mesh with the formed bell end is removed.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a cylindrical body, and particularly with reference to a cage mesh, it will be readily understood that it is applicable as well to the expansion of hollow bodies of any shape. Accordingly, when, in the following claims, the term cylindrical is employed it is to be understood that it is employed in a broad sense to in-' clude hollow bodies of other than round configura' tions.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes can be made without departing from the principals and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is described in the appended claims.

' The invention claimed is:

1. Apparatus for expanding a cylindrical body, comprising a plurality of shoes for engaging the inside surface of said body, said shoes being mounted on shoe mounting means, said shoe mounting means having a plurality of attachment means spaced at different radial positions to receive shoes of different sizes and secure said shoes of different sizes at different radial positions, whereby said apparatus may be adjusted to expand cylindrical bodies of different diameters, and driving means for moving said shoe mounting means outwardly to cause said shoes mounted on said shoe mounting means to expand a cylindrical body positioned about said apparatus.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shoes comprise an arcuate wall for engaging said inside surface of said body.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shoes include means for cooperating with particular ones of said plurality of attachment means for securing said shoes at a particular position on said shoe mounting means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shoe mounting means comprises a plurality of tables, said attachment means comprises a plurality of pairs of mounting holes at different radial positions, and said shoes are provided with a pair of mounting holes having a spacing corresponding to the spacing of one of said pairs of mounting holes on said tables.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises centering means for positioning said cylindrical body on said apparatus.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said centering means comprises a centering post and a plurality of centering guides adjustably mounted on said centering post, said centering guides being adjustable to different radial positions outwardly from said centering post to accommodate cylindrical bodies of different internal diameters.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said driving means comprise hydraulic means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises motor means and linkage means coupling said motor means to said shoe mounting means.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said linkage means comprises a motor plate mounted for rotation by said motor means, said motor plate having a plurality of arcuate cam slots one for each of said shoe mounting means, each of said shoe mounting means comprising a linkage bar, and cam follower means on each linkage bar engaged with corresponding one of said cam slots, whereby'rotation of said motor plate as driven by said motor means causes said linkage bars to be driven by said corresponding cam slots and cam follower means.

10. Apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising radial guiding means for guiding said linkage bars radially of said cylindrical body.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said apparatus further comprises a top plate and said radial guide means comprises a plurality of radial slots in said top plate, one for each of said linkage bars.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said motor means comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders coupled to said motor plate, contraction of said cylinders causing rotation of said motor plate.

13. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical body comprises a cage mesh for reinforcing concrete pipe sections, said apparatus expanding a bell end section on said cage mesh.

9 14. Apparatus for expanding a cylindrical body, comprising a plurality of shoes for engaging the inside surface of said body, centering means for positioning said cylindrical body on said apparatus with an end of said body positioned about said shoes, said centering means comprising a centering post and a plurality of centering guides adjustably mounted on said centering post, said centering guides being adjustable to different radial positions outwardly from said centering post to accommodate cylindrical bodies of different internal diameters, and means for moving said shoes outwardly to expand said end of said body.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said centering guides each comprise a guide plate for engaging said inside surface of said body and a supporting rod and wherein a plurality of tubular members are mounted on said centering post each for adjustably receiving one of said rods.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said cylindrical body comprises a cage mesh for reinforcing concrete pipe sections, said apparatus expanding a bell end section on said cage mesh.

Claims

9. ApparatUs as recited in claim 8, wherein said linkage means comprises a motor plate mounted for rotation by said motor means, said motor plate having a plurality of arcuate cam slots one for each of said shoe mounting means, each of said shoe mounting means comprising a linkage bar, and cam follower means on each linkage bar engaged with corresponding one of said cam slots, whereby rotation of said motor plate as driven by said motor means causes said linkage bars to be driven by said corresponding cam slots and cam follower means.

14. Apparatus for expanding a cylindrical body, comprising a plurality of shoes for engaging the inside surface of said body, centering means for positioning said cylindrical body on said apparatus with an end of said body positioned about said shoes, said centering means comprising a centering post and a plurality of centering guides adjustably mounted on said centering post, said centering guides being adjustable to different radial positions outwardly from said centering post to accommodate cylindrical bodies of different internal diameters, and means for moving said shoes outwardly to expand said end of said body.