METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FOLDING OF SHEET MATERIALS
First Claim
1. A folding tool system for forming a three-dimensional structure from a substantially two-dimensional sheet material which includes a predetermined low-flange fold line defining a low flange and a predetermined high-flange fold line defining a high flange, said system comprising:
- a frame including a restraint assembly for restraining a work piece from movement in one direction;
a low flange assembly movably mounted on the frame for biasing the work piece against the restraint assembly and effecting folding along the low-flange fold line, the low flange assembly including a low-flange applicator for applying force against the low flange to effect low-flange folding;
a high flange assembly movably mounted on the frame to effect folding along the high-flange fold line, the high flange assembly including a high-flange actuator for applying force against the high flange to effect high-flange folding; and
a control assembly for sequentially operating the low flange assembly and the high flange assembly.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for folding of sheet materials for forming a three-dimensional structure from a substantially two-dimensional sheet material includes a restraint assembly for restraining a work piece from movement in one direction, a low flange assembly movably mounted on the frame for biasing the work piece against the restraint assembly and effecting folding along the low-flange fold line, a high flange assembly movably mounted on the frame to effect folding along the high-flange fold line, and a control assembly for sequentially operating the low flange assembly and the high flange assembly. A method of using the method and apparatus for folding of sheet materials, and the structure created thereby, is also disclosed.
36 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A folding tool system for forming a three-dimensional structure from a substantially two-dimensional sheet material which includes a predetermined low-flange fold line defining a low flange and a predetermined high-flange fold line defining a high flange, said system comprising:
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a frame including a restraint assembly for restraining a work piece from movement in one direction; a low flange assembly movably mounted on the frame for biasing the work piece against the restraint assembly and effecting folding along the low-flange fold line, the low flange assembly including a low-flange applicator for applying force against the low flange to effect low-flange folding; a high flange assembly movably mounted on the frame to effect folding along the high-flange fold line, the high flange assembly including a high-flange actuator for applying force against the high flange to effect high-flange folding; and a control assembly for sequentially operating the low flange assembly and the high flange assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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14. A folding tool system for forming a three-dimensional structure from a two-dimensional sheet material which includes a plurality of predetermined low-flange fold lines defining low flanges, a plurality of predetermined lateral high-flange fold lines defining lateral high flanges, and a plurality of predetermined end high-flange fold lines defining end high flanges, said system comprising:
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a frame including a restraint assembly for restraining a work piece from movement in one direction; a low flange assembly movably mounted on the frame for biasing the work piece against the restraint assembly and effecting folding along the low-flange fold lines, the low flange assembly including a plurality of low-flange applicators for applying force against the low flanges to effect low-flange folding along each of the low-flange fold lines; a high flange assembly movably mounted on the frame to effect folding along the high-flange fold lines, the high flange assembly including a plurality of lateral high-flange actuators for applying force against the lateral high flange to effect high-flange folding along each of the lateral high-flange fold lines, the high flange assembly further including a plurality of end high-flange actuators for applying force against the end high flanges to effect high flange folding along each of the end high-flange fold lines; and a control assembly for sequentially operating the low flange applicators, the lateral high-flange actuators, and the end high-flange actuators. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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30. A method for forming a three-dimensional structure from an approximately two-dimensional sheet material, the sheet material including a predetermined low-flange fold line defining a low flange and a predetermined high-flange fold line defining a high flange, said method comprising the steps of:
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restraining a work piece from movement in one direction; positioning a low flange assembly against the low flange to bias the work piece against the restraint assembly, the low flange assembly including a low-flange applicator contacting the low flange to effect folding along the low-flange fold line; and moving a high flange assembly against the high flange, the high flange assembly including a high-flange actuator contacting the high flange to effect folding along the high-flange fold line. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification