US3797430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seaming tool
Assignee: Smyth Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1972-11-02
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A pair of rollers are arranged in tandem below a frame movable along a piece of sheet material for progressively bending an elongated flanged edge of the sheet material into interlocking folded relation to an underlying sheet member. The rollers are pivotally supported on the frame for swinging movement toward and away from the frame between an operative position, wherein the rollers are disposed for a sheet bending operation, and a retracted rest position.
Inventors
- 👤 R Boudreau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:25
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D39/00; B21D39/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53709; Y10T29/53787
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A tool for simultaneously seaming opposite longitudinally extending flanged edges of elongate sheet material along an underlying sheet member and comprising a frame movable along the surface of the sheet material, first and second pairs of sheet bending rollers respectively mounted on opposite sides of the frame, each pair of sheet bending rollers being supported in tandem on its respective side of the frame for rotation about parallel axes normal to the path of movement of the frame for bending their respective flanged edge of the sheet material and progressively forming a lapping fold thereof about the underlying sheet member, each pair of rollers being pivotally supported for swinging movement on the frame about a pivotal axis parallel to the path of movement of the frame for selective positioning of the rollers in an operative position and a rest position in retracted relation to the frame, first guide means engageable with the flanged edges on opposite sides of the sheet material and mounted on the frame in forwardly disposed relation to the sheet bending rollers for guiding a leading end of the tool, and second guide means mounted in following relation to the sheet bending rollers for engagement with the flanged edges on opposite sides of the sheet material to minimize any undesired skewing movement of the tool about an axis perpendicular to the tool supporting surface of the sheet material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
A tool for simultaneously seaming opposite longitudinally extending flanged edges of elongate sheet material along an underlying sheet member and comprising a frame movable along the surface of the sheet material, first and second pairs of sheet bending rollers respectively mounted on opposite sides of the frame, each pair of sheet bending rollers being supported in tandem on its respective side of the frame for rotation about parallel axes normal to the path of movement of the frame for bending their respective flanged edge of the sheet material and progressively forming a lapping fold thereof about the underlying sheet member, each pair of rollers being pivotally supported for swinging movement on the frame about a pivotal axis parallel to the path of movement of the frame for selective positioning of the rollers in an operative position and a rest position in retracted relation to the frame, first guide means engageable with the flanged edges on opposite sides of the sheet material and mounted on the frame in forwardly disposed relation to the sheet bending rollers for guiding a leading end of the tool, and second guide means mounted in following relation to the sheet bending rollers for engagement with the flanged edges on opposite sides of the sheet material to minimize any undesired skewing movement of the tool about an axis perpendicular to the tool supporting surface of the sheet material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
The tool of claim 1 wherein a control link is provided for each pair of sheet bending rollers, the control links each being mounTed on the frame for swinging movement about said pivotal axis, each pair of rollers being supported for rotation on their respective control link, and the control links each being manually operable for simultaneously pivoting its respective pair of rollers between said operative position, wherein the rollers are at least in part positioned in underlying relation to the frame, and said retracted rest position, wherein the rollers are in offset relation to the frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tool of claim 2 wherein each control link is movable into a releasable latched position upon movement of its rollers into said operative position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
The tool of claim 1 wherein a control link is provided for each pair of rollers and is mounted on the frame for swinging movement about said pivotal axis, each pair of rollers being supported for rotation on their respective control link, and wherein manually operable over-center toggle linkage is drivingly connected to each control link for selectively moving its rollers and latching and unlatching their respective control link and its rollers upon moving the rollers respectively into and away from said operative position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
The tool of claim 1 wherein each pair of rollers include a leading roller having a truncated cone configuration with a tapered working surface inclined at an angle relative to its rotational axis for making a first bend in their respective flanged edge of sheet material, and a trailing roller having a working surface which is inclined to its rotational axis at an angle less than that of the leading roller for making a further bend in their respective flanged edge of sheet material for progressively forming the lapping fold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tool of claim 1 further including drive means for propelling the frame, and power operating means carried by the frame for operating the drive means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
The tool of claim 1 further including a pair of power operated rotary friction wheels mounted on each side of the frame and engageable with the tool supporting surface of the sheet material for driving the frame along its surface with each pair of friction wheels mounted on its respective side of the frame in overlying opposed relation to the sheet bending rollers when they are in an operative position for a sheet material bending operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |