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US3777531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Double-spindled elevating multi-station roll former machine and power drive therefor
Assignee: ENGEL INDUSTRIES Inc A CORP OF DE
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Filing: 1972-05-25
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A double-spindled roll former machine, particularly useful for production line edge-forming of sheet metal duct sections, has two upper and lower forming paths, both in the same direction. An elevating mechanism brings the selected forming path into coincidence with the production line flow path. An inverted machine portion, the mirror image of the upright portion, is intergeared with it, to provide the doubled spindling and also to minimize wear and deviations in driving torque among the forming stations. The driving motor need not be elevated; if used in a fixed lower position, its power is supplied through a counterweighted hinged linkage with gear reduction in the upper link.
Inventors
- 👤 L Mcclain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:37
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D5/00; B21D5/06; B21D5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
For selectively roll-forming sheet metal to two different configurations by material flow in the same direction along a single path of material flow, a double-spindled multi-station roll former machine, comprising an upright roll former machine portion having upper and lower roll spindles, whereby to define between them a first forming path, and roll means thereon to form a first configuration, the spindles having driving gears and intermediate spur gears in mesh therebetween and comprising with them a first drive train, an inverted roll former machine portion having upper and lower roll spindles, whereby to define therebetween a second forming path, and roll means thereon to form to a second configuration, the upper spindles thereof having driving gears and intermediate spur gears in mesh therebetween and comprising with them a second drive train, a powered drive shaft connection to one of said drive trains, said upright and inverted roll former machine portions having common structural means to position said first and second forming paths spaced vertically from each other and to hold in mesh alternate gears of said first drive train with corresponding alternate gears of said second drive train, whereby both said roll former machine portions will be driven simultaneously and their forming paths will be in the same direction, in combination with elevating means to raise the upper and lower roll former machine portions and their said common structural means to such raised level that the said second forming path coincides with such path of material flow, and to lower same to such lowered level that the said first forming path coincides therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
For selectively roll-forming sheet metal to two different configurations by material flow in the same direction along a single path of material flow, a double-spindled multi-station roll former machine, comprising an upright roll former machine portion having upper and lower roll spindles, whereby to define between them a first forming path, and roll means thereon to form a first configuration, the spindles having driving gears and intermediate spur gears in mesh therebetween and comprising with them a first drive train, an inverted roll former machine portion having upper and lower roll spindles, whereby to define therebetween a second forming path, and roll means thereon to form to a second configuration, the upper spindles thereof having driving gears and intermediate spur gears in mesh therebetween and comprising with them a second drive train, a powered drive shaft connection to one of said drive trains, said upright and inverted roll former machine portions having common structural means to position said first and second forming paths spaced vertically from each other and to hold in mesh alternate gears of said first drive train with corresponding alternate gears of said second drive train, whereby both said roll former machine portions will be driven simultaneously and their forming paths will be in the same direction, in combination with elevating means to raise the upper and lower roll former machine portions and their said common structural means to such raised level that the said second forming path coincides with such path of material flow, and to lower same to such lowered level that the said first forming path coincides therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A double-spindled roll forming machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the powered drive shaft connection connects to a gear near the middle of one of said drive trains, whereby, by the inter-engagement of the two drive trains, all spindles except those at the end stations are driven from both inner and outer sides, and wear and deviations in driving torque are minimized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A double-spindled roll forming machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the elevating means includes rotatable screw rods mounted vertically in said fixed frame and passing through and engaging internally threaded means affixed to said common structural means, means to turn said screw rods simultaneously, and means to latch the common structural means to the fixed frame alternately at such raised level and at such lowered level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A double-spindled roll forming machine as defined in claim 1, together with driving motor and gear reducer means operatably connected to said powered drive shaft connection and mounted onto said common structural means for elevation therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
193 words
A double-spindled roll forming machine as defined in claim 1, together with a driving motor secured to said fixed frame below said roll former machine portion and having a lateral shaft, and a hinged link drive therefrom to said powered drive shaft connection, said hinged link drive including a lower rigid link having a lower end connected for pivoting around the motor shaft and having its upper end connected to a lateral hinge pin shaft, an upper rigid link extending from said hinge pin shaft to said powered drive shaft connection, the motor shaft, hinge pin shaft, and powered drive shaft connection all having axis-centered power transmitting means mounted on their shaft axes, together with gear reducer means mounted along one of said links and connecting the axis-centered power transmitting means on the hinge pin shaft to the axis-centered power transmitting means on the shaft at the other end of said link, and flexible power transmitting means mounted along the other of said links and looped about and connecting the power transmitting means on the hinge pin shaft to the power transmitting means on the shaft at the other end of said link.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A double-spindled roll forming machine as defined in claim 5, wherein the link along which the gear reducer means is mounted is the upper link, and the link along which the looped power transmitting means is mounted is the lower link, whereby the looped power transmitting means may transmit power at a torque lower than that delivered by the gear reducer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A double-spindled roll forming machine as defined in claim 5, wherein the lower link moves in an angular range, at one side of center, at less than 60* from horizontal, together with counterbalance means extending from said lower link to the other side of center, whreby to offset the weight of the hinged link drive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3535905A
Cited
US3636903A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |