Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A roll-forming machine comprising: a frame; an elongate, rigid spine; cooperative means on the frame and the spine for detachably securing the spine to the frame; a plurality of die-stands each rigidly secured to the spine and positioned thereby at spaced points along a predetermined path and each comprising at least one roller mounted for engagement with material moving along the predetermined path to at least partially transform the material from an initial configuration to a desired configuration; a plurality of roll-stands mounted on the frame at spaced points along the predetermined path and each comprising at least one roller fixedly supported relative to the frame and at least one roller mounted on the spine and positioned thereby in alignment with the fixedly supported roller; and power means for actuating the fixedly supported roller of each roll-stand and thereby advancing material along the predetermined path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A roll-forming machine comprising: a frame; an elongate, rigid spine; cooperative means on the frame and the spine for detachably securing the spine to the frame; a plurality of die-stands each rigidly secured to the spine and positioned thereby at spaced points along a predetermined path and each comprising at least one roller mounted for engagement with material moving along the predetermined path to at least partially transform the material from an initial configuration to a desired configuration; a plurality of roll-stands mounted on the frame at spaced points along the predetermined path and each comprising at least one roller fixedly supported relative to the frame and at least one roller mounted on the spine and positioned thereby in alignment with the fixedly supported roller; and power means for actuating the fixedly supported roller of each roll-stand and thereby advancing material along the predetermined path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The roll-forming machine according to claim 1 wherein the die-stands each comprise non-driven forming rollers and wherein the driving and idler rollers comprising each roll-stand are non-forming rollers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The roll-forming machine according to claim 2 wherein the die-stands each comprise a subframe fixed to the spine and a plurality of rollers mounted on the subframe for engagement with material moving along the path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The roll-forming machine according to claim 3 wherein the roll-stands and the die-stands are alternately arranged relative to the predetermined path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
A roll-forming machine comprising: frame means; a plurality of driving rollers fixedly mounted at spaced points along the frame means to define a predetermined path of material movement; an elongate, rigid spine detachably mounted on the frame means and extending parallel to the predetermined path; a plurality of die-stands each secured to the spine and each comprising at least one non-driven forming roller mounted for engagement with material moving along a predetermined path; a plurality of idler rollers each secured to the spine in alignment with one of the driving rollers for cooperation therewith to define a plurality of roll-stands; and power means for actuating the driving rollers of the roll-stands and thereby advancing material along the predetermined path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
A roll-forming machine comprising: frame means; a plurality of driving rollers fixedly mounted at spaced points along the frame means to define a predetermined path of material movement; an elongate, rigid spine detachably mounted on the frame means and extending parallel to the predetermined path; a plurality of die-stands each secured to the spine and each comprising at least one non-driven forming roller mounted for engagement with material moving along a predetermined path; a plurality of idler rollers each secured to the spine in alignment with one of the driving rollers for cooperation therewith to define a plurality of roll-stands; and power means for actuating the driving rollers of the roll-stands and thereby advancing material along the predetermined path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The roll-forming machine according to claim 5 wherein the die-stands and the roll-stands are alternately arranged along the path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The roll-forming machine according to claim 5 wherein each die-stand includes a subframe mounted on the spine and a plurality of non-driven forming rollers mounted on the subframe for engagement with material moving along the path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A roll-forming machine according to claim 5 wherein each roll-stand comprises non-forming rollers and wherein each die-stand comprises non-driving rollers.