Hemming machine and method
First Claim
1. A machine for forming a unitary structure from a first steel panel having an upturned flange and a second steel panel having a flat edge portion, comprising:
- (a) a support surface unit including a support surface for receiving said first panel and said second panel in a superimposed relation with said edge portion of said second panel proximate to said flange of said first panel;
(b) a plurality of first flange engaging members having bevelled engaging surfaces, said first flange engaging members being located at a pre-hem position;
(c) a plurality of second flange engaging members having substantially right-angled engaging surfaces, said second flange engaging members being located at a final-hem position;
(d) means for moving said support surface unit to said pre-hem position such that said flange of said first panel is pressed against said bevelled engaging surfaces of said first flange engaging members, wherein said flange of said first panel is bent by approximately 45°
with respect to the plane of said first panel to form a pre-hemmed flange;
(e) means for moving said support surface to said final hem position such that said pre-hemmed flange is pressed against said substantially right-angled engaging surfaces of said second flange engaging members, wherein said pre-hemmed flange of said first panel is bent to fully clinch said edge portion of said second panel to form said unitary structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a machine and a method for forming a unitary structure from a first steel panel having an upturned flange and a second steel panel having a flat edge portion. The machine is comprised of a support surface for receiving the two panels in a nested relation. The support surface, holding the nested panels, is moved to a pre-hem position. The support surface then presses the flange of the first panel against a pre-hem flange engaging member to bend the flange to approximately 45° with respect to the plane of the first panel. The support surface moves the nested panels to a final hem position. The support surface then presses the flange against a final hem engaging member to bend the flange into full engagement with the edge portion of the second panel to form a unitary structure.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A machine for forming a unitary structure from a first steel panel having an upturned flange and a second steel panel having a flat edge portion, comprising:
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(a) a support surface unit including a support surface for receiving said first panel and said second panel in a superimposed relation with said edge portion of said second panel proximate to said flange of said first panel; (b) a plurality of first flange engaging members having bevelled engaging surfaces, said first flange engaging members being located at a pre-hem position; (c) a plurality of second flange engaging members having substantially right-angled engaging surfaces, said second flange engaging members being located at a final-hem position; (d) means for moving said support surface unit to said pre-hem position such that said flange of said first panel is pressed against said bevelled engaging surfaces of said first flange engaging members, wherein said flange of said first panel is bent by approximately 45°
with respect to the plane of said first panel to form a pre-hemmed flange;(e) means for moving said support surface to said final hem position such that said pre-hemmed flange is pressed against said substantially right-angled engaging surfaces of said second flange engaging members, wherein said pre-hemmed flange of said first panel is bent to fully clinch said edge portion of said second panel to form said unitary structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for forming a unitary structure from a first steel panel with an upturned flange and a second steel panel with a flat edge portion, comprising:
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(a) placing said second panel in a superimposed relation to said first panel on a support surface, said edge portion of said second panel being proximate to said flange of said first panel; (b) clamping said first and said second panel together; (c) bending said flange of said first panel at at least one corner, where two coincident flanged sides meet, in an interleaving relation; (d) pressing said flange of said first panel against a plurality of first flange engaging members so that said flange is bent to approximately 45°
with respect to the plane of said first panel to produce a pre-hemmed flange;(e) pressing said pre-hemmed flange of said first panel against a plurality of second flange engaging members so that said flange is fully engaged against said edge portion of said second panel to form said unitary structure.
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Specification