Single pass structural shape punch

Claim 2

In an apparatus for punching an elongated structural member, the combination comprising means for supporting the member in lengthwise-extending relation along a horizontal travel path, and means defining a punching station positioned in intercepting relation to the travel path and including main frame structure having opposed side frame portions in straddling relation to the travel path, first, second and third heads, each carrying separate punch assembly means for punching said member and mounted betweEn said side wall portions in vertically tracked engagement therewith for movement in a direction transverse to the travel path, the first of said heads being movable in a first vertical plane transverse to the travel path, the other of said heads being movable in a common second plane paralleling said first plane and spaced therefrom, the punch assembly means carried by said other of said heads each being in horizontally tracked engagement with the corresponding head for horizontal movement in a direction transverse to the travel path, means for independently vertically moving said heads, and means for horizontally moving the last-named punch assembly means.

Claim 3

In an apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means defining a punching station further includes guide means engageable with the member for positioning the member in predetermined-punching relation within the station.

Claim 4

In an apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein means for independently vertically moving said heads includes separate hydraulic drive means for each of said heads, said means for horizontally moving the last-named punch assembly means including separate hydraulic drive means for each of said last-named punch assembly means.

Claim 5

In an apparatus for punching an elongated structural member having web and flange leg portions, the combination comprising: means for supporting the member in lengthwise-extending relation along a horizontal travel path, and means defining a punching station positioned in intercepting relation to the travel path, said punching station including a main frame, guide means supported by the frame and engageable with said member for positioning the same in said station with its web leg portion in a fixed vertical plane, a first head supported by said frame for vertical movement in a first plane transverse to said travel path, second and third heads supported by said frame for vertical movement in a common plane paralleling said first plane and spaced therefrom, a web punch assembly for punching web holes in said member and mounted to ride with said first head in embracing relation to said fixed vertical plane, first and second pairs of flange punch assemblies for punching flange holes in said member and respectively mounted in flanking relation to said fixed vertical plane for horizontal ganged movement along the second and third of said heads in a direction transverse of the travel path, first drive means for independently vertically moving each of said heads, and second drive means for individually horizontally moving each of said pairs of punch assemblies.

Claim 6

In an apparatus for punching an elongated structural member having web and flange leg portions, the combination comprising: means for supporting the member in lengthwise-extending relation along a horizontal travel path, and means defining a punching station positioned in intercepting relation to the travel path, said punching station including a main frame, guide means supported by the frame and engageable with said member for positioning the same in said station with its web leg portion in a fixed vertical plane, a first head supported by said frame for vertical movement in a first plane transverse to said travel path, second and third heads supported by said frame for vertical movement in a common plane paralleling said first plane and spaced therefrom, a web punch assembly for punching web holes in said member and mounted to ride with said first head in embracing relation to said fixed vertical plane, first and second pairs of flange punch assemblies for punching flange holes in said member and respectively mounted in flanking relation to said fixed vertical plane for horizontal ganged movement along the second and third of said heads in a direction transverse of the travel path, first drive means for independently vertically moving each of said heads, and second drive means for individually horizontally moving each of said pairs of punch assemblies.

Claim 7

In an apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said station further includes vertical indexing mechanism cooperable with said first drive means for effecting predetermined punching registry of the web punch assembly with the web leg portion of the member, and horizontal indexing mechanism cooperable with said second drive means for effecting predetermined punching registry of each said pairs of punch assemblies with the flange leg portions of the member.

Claim 8

In an apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first drive means includes separate hydraulic cylinder means for each of said heads, said second drive means including separate hydraulic cylinder means for each of said pairs of punch assemblies.