Roll forming assembly

Claim 2

In a bending machine: a pair of counterpart dies, one of said dies comprising an elongated form, the other of said dies comprising a train of interconnected progressive rolls for gradually bending a marginal edge of a stock of bendable material to the shape of the form during advancement of the rolls along the form and as the rolls are brought into successive engagement with said edge; power means coupled with said train for advancing the same; releasable means for holding the stock with said edge disposed in the path of advancement of the rolls; and an elongated roll backup member extending along and spaced from said form for maintaining said edge clamped between the form and the rolls during advancement of the latter, each roll respectively being provided with structure engaging the member during said advancement for maintaining the rolls spaced from the member.

Claim 3

In the inVention of claim 1 wherein the rolls and their structures are separately rotatable about common axes intersecting said path.

Claim 4

In a bending machine: a pair of counterpart dies, one of said dies comprising an elongated form, the other of said dies comprising a train of interconnected progressive rolls for gradually bending a marginal edge of a stock of bendable material to the shape of the form during advancement of the rolls along the form and as the rolls are brought into successive engagement with said edge; power means coupled with said train for advancing the same; releasable means for holding the stock with said edge disposed in the path of advancement of the rolls; and an elongated roll backup member extending along and spaced from said form for maintaining said edge clamped between the form and the rolls during advancement of the latter, each roll respectively being provided with structure engaging the member during said advancement for maintaining the rolls spaced from the member, the rolls and their structures being separately rotatable about common axes intersecting said path, each structure including a pair of rollers having the corresponding rolls therebetween.

Claim 5

In a bending machine: a pair of counterpart dies, one of said dies comprising an elongated form, the other of said dies comprising a train of interconnected progressive rolls for gradually bending a marginal edge of a stock of bendable material to the shape of the form during advancement of the rolls along the form and as the rolls are brought into successive engagement with said edge; power means coupled with said train for advancing the same; releasable means for holding the stock with said edge disposed in the path of advancement of the rolls; and an elongated roll backup member extending along and spaced from said form for maintaining said edge clamped between the form and the rolls during advancement of the latter, each roll respectively being provided with structure engaging the member during said advancement for maintaining the rolls spaced from the member, the rolls and their structures being separately rotatable about common axes intersecting said path, each structure including a pair of rollers having the corresponding rolls therebetween.

Claim 6

In the invention of claim 3 wherein said member is provided with roller-engaging means for holding the rolls against axial movement.

Claim 7

In the invention of claim 3 wherein said train includes a pair of spaced, endless chains having the rolls and their rollers disposed therebetween, there being a shaft interconnecting the chains for each roll respectively about which the rolls and the rollers rotate.

Claim 8

In a bending machine, a pair of elongated assemblies, each including: a pair of counterpart dies, one of said dies comprising an elongated form, the other of said dies comprising a train of interconnected progressive rolls for gradually bending a marginal edge of a stock of bendable material to the shape of the form during advancement of the rolls along the form and as the rolls are brought into successive engagement with said edge; power means coupled with said train for advancing the same; and an elongated roll backup member extending along and spaced from said form for maintaining said edge clamped between the form and the rolls during advancement of the latter, said assemblies being disposed for supporting the stock thereacross, there being releasable means for holding the stock with opposed marginal edges thereof in the path of advancement of the rolls of the corresponding train.

Claim 9

In a bending machine, a pair of elongated assemblies, each including: a pair of counterpart dies, one of said dies comprising an elongated form, the other of said dies comprising a train of interconnected progressive rolls for gradually bending a marginal edge of a stock of bendable material to the shape of the form during advancement of the rolls along the form and as the rolls are brought into successive engagement with said edge; power means coupled with said train for advancing the same; and an elongated roll backup member extending along and spaced from said form for maintaining said edge clamped between the form and the rolls during advancement of the latter, said assemblies being disposed for supporting the stock thereacross, there being releasable means for holding the stock with opposed marginal edges thereof in the path of advancement of the rolls of the corresponding train.

Claim 10

In the invention of claim 6; and means for shifting said assemblies relatively toward and away from each other to adjust the same in accordance with the dimensions of said stock.

Claim 11

In the invention of claim 6, said assemblies converging as one end thereof is approached, adapting the same to accommodate stock having marginal edges which converge as one end of the stock is approached.

Claim 12

In the invention of claim 8; and means for shifting said assemblies relatively toward and away from each other to adjust the same in accordance with the dimensions of said stock.

Claim 13

In the invention of claim 6, said releasable means include pin means carried by the assemblies adapted to receive locater openings in the stock.

Claim 14

In the invention of claim 10 wherein is provided an element for removing the bent stock from the forms, one of the pin means being on said element.