Apparatus for forming a structural unit

Claim 2

Apparatus for forming a structural unit defined by opposed pairs of structrual members a first pair of which have preformed slot structures extending longitudinally along opposite margins thereof to receive therein edge portions of the members of a second pair thereof; said apparatus comprising guide means for receiving said pairs of members from supplies thereof and orienting the same in opposed relationship to each other; means for drawing said aligned pairs of members into engagement with each other and inserting edge portions of the members of said second pair into the slot structures of said first pair; and means for deforming segments of the members of at least one of said pairs into locking engagement with the members of the other of said pairs, whereby said pairs of members may be securely interconnected into an integral structural unit.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes first means for supporting predetermined lengths of the members of said first pair of said members, and other means for supporting substantially continuous supplies of the members of said second pair of said members; said respective supporting means being positioned in advance of said guide means.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for deforming said member segments comprises rotary mechanism for substantially simultaneously engaging said members to be deformed.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 which further includes back up means positioned on opposite sides of said members to be deformed relative to said rotary mechanism.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 in which said rotary mechanism comprises a plurality of rotating wheels positioned to engage said respective members to be deformed, each of said wheels having projections thereon for engaging said members to be deformed to effect such deformation.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said guide means includes guide structure for receiving said pairs of members from supplies thereof and bringing the same together in a converging path to facilitate interfiTting edge margins of said second pair of members into the slot structures of said first pair of members.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 6 which further includes pressure means for positiveily retaining said members interfitted as they pass from said guide structure to said means for deforming said segments.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5 in which each of said wheels has peripherally spaced projections thereon, whereby said members are riveted together by spaced segments deformed therefrom as said wheels rotate thereagainst.

Claim 10

Apparatus for forming a structural unit defined by opposed pairs of structural members a first pair of which have preformed slot structures extending longitudinally along opposite margins thereof to receive therein edge portions of the second pair thereof; said apparatus comprising guide means for receiving said pairs of members from supplies thereof and orienting the same in opposed relationship to each other; means for drawing said aligned pairs of members into engagement with each other and inserting the edge portions of said second pair of members into the slot structures of said first pair of members; and means for deforming segments of said respective slot structures of said first pair of members into locking engagement with said edge portions of the members of said second pair of members, whereby said edge portions of said second pairs of members are securely clamped in said slot structures and said pairs of members are joined securely into an integral structrual assembly.

Claim 11

Apparatus for forming a structural unit defined by opposed pairs of structural members a first pair of which have preformed slot structures extending longitudinally along opposite margins thereof to receive therein edge portions of the second pair thereof; said apparatus comprising guide means for receiving said pairs of members from supplies thereof and orienting the same in opposed relationship to each other; means for drawing said aligned pairs of members into engagement with each other and inserting the edge portions of said second pair of members into the slot structures of said first pair of members; and means for deforming segments of said respective slot structures of said first pair of members into locking engagement with said edge portions of the members of said second pair of members, whereby said edge portions of said second pairs of members are securely clamped in said slot structures and said pairs of members are joined securely into an integral structrual assembly.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 which further includes first means for supporting predetermined lengths of said first pair of said members, and other means for supporting substantially continuous supplies of the members of said second pair of said members; said respective supporting means being positioned in advance of said guide means.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 in which said deforming means comprises rotary mechanism for substantially simultaneously engaging said respective slot structure of said members of said first pair and deforming the same inwardly at predetermined locations therealong.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 11 in which said rotary mechanism comprises a plurality of rotating wheels positioned to engage said respective slot structures simultaneously as said pairs of members pass through said apparatus, each of said wheels having projections thereon, said projections deforming said slot structures at said predetermined locations to clamp said members of said second pair in the slot structures of the members of said first pair.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 12 which includes back up means oriented to support said respective slot structures from the sides thereof opposite from said respective wheels during deformation of said slot structures.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 9 which further includes pressure means adjacent the discharge end of said apparatus against which a completed length of a structural unit passes, said pressure means applying pressure to such completed unit to impart a predetermined amount of curvature thereto.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 10 which further includes cut off means adjacent the discharge end of said apparatus for severing the structural members of said second pair after assembly of said pairs of members into a structural unit, whereby such unit may be discharged from said apparatus in a predetermined length.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 12 in which said projections on said wheels are peripherally spaced from each other, whereby said slot structures are deformed at spaced locations therealong.

Claim 19

Apparatus for forming a structural unit comprising a first structural member, and a pair of second structural members to be interconnected by said first structural member, said first member having preformed slot structures extending longitudinally along opposite margins thereof to receive therein edge portions of the members of said pair of second structural members; said apparatus comprising guide means for receiving saiD first member and said members of said pair of second members from supplies thereof and orienting the same in adjacent relationship to each other; means for drawing said first member and said members of said pair of second members into engagement with each other and inserting the edge portions of the members of said pair of second members into the slot structures of said first member; and means for deforming spaced segments of said respective slot structures of said first member into locking engagement with said edge portions of said members of said pair of second members, whereby said edge portions of said members of said pair of second members are securely clamped in said slot structures and said first and second members are securely joined into an integral structural assembly.

Claim 20

Apparatus for forming a structural unit comprising a first structural member, and a pair of second structural members to be interconnected by said first structural member, said first member having preformed slot structures extending longitudinally along opposite margins thereof to receive therein edge portions of the members of said pair of second structural members; said apparatus comprising guide means for receiving saiD first member and said members of said pair of second members from supplies thereof and orienting the same in adjacent relationship to each other; means for drawing said first member and said members of said pair of second members into engagement with each other and inserting the edge portions of the members of said pair of second members into the slot structures of said first member; and means for deforming spaced segments of said respective slot structures of said first member into locking engagement with said edge portions of said members of said pair of second members, whereby said edge portions of said members of said pair of second members are securely clamped in said slot structures and said first and second members are securely joined into an integral structural assembly.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 17 which further includes first means for supporting predetermined lengths of members defining said first member, and other means for supporting substantially continuous supplies of the members of said pair of second members; said respective supporting means being positioned in advance of said guide means.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 17 in which said deforming means comprises rotary mechanism for substantially simultaneously engaging said respective slot structures of said first member and deforming the same inwardly at predetermined spaced locations therealong.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 19 in which said rotary mechanism comprises at least two rotating wheels positioned to engage said respective slot structures of said first member simultaneously as said first member and said members of said pair of second members pass through said apparatus, each of said wheels having projections thereon, said projections deforming said slot structures at said predetermined locations to clamp said members of said pair of second members in the slot structures of said first member.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 20 which further includes back up means oriented to support said respective slot structures of said first member from the sides thereof opposite from said respective wheels during deformation of such slot structures.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 17 which further includes pressure means adjacent the discharge end of said apparatus against which a completed length of a structural unit passes, said pressure means applying pressure to said unit to impart a predetermined amount of curvature thereto.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 18 which further includes cut-off means adjacent the discharge end of said apparatus for severing the members of said pair of second members after assembly of said first member and said pair of second members into a structural unit, whereby such unit may be discharged from said apparatus in a predetermined length.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 20 in which said projections on said wheels are peripherally spaced from each other whereby said slot structures are deformed at spaced locations longitudinally therealong.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 17 in which said guide means includes guide structure for receiving said first member and said members of said pair of second members from supplies thereof and bringing the same together in converging paths to facilitate interfitting the edge portions of said members of said pair of second members into the slot structures of said first member.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 25 which further includes pressure means for positively retaining said first member and said members of said pair of second members interfitted as they pass from said guide structure to said means for deforming said segments.

Claim 30

Apparatus for forming a structural unit comprising a pair of first structural members each of which has a preformed slot structure extending longitudinally along a margin thereof, and a second structural member to interconnect said first pair of members, said second member having opposite edge portions to be received in said slot structures of said members of said pair of first members; said apparatus comprising guide means for receiving said members of said pair of first members and said second member from supplies thereof and orienting the same in adjacent relationship to each other; means for drawing said members of said pair of first members and said second member into engagement with each other and inserting the edge portions of said second member into the respective slot structures of said members of said pair of first members; and means for deforming spaced segments of said respective slot structures of said members of said pair of first members into interlocking engagement with said opposite edge portions of said second member, whereby said edge portions of said second member are securely clamped in said slot structures and said pair of first members and said second member are securely joined into an integral structural assembly.

Claim 31

Apparatus for forming a structural unit comprising a pair of first structural members each of which has a preformed slot structure extending longitudinally along a margin thereof, and a second structural member to interconnect said first pair of members, said second member having opposite edge portions to be received in said slot structures of said members of said pair of first members; said apparatus comprising guide means for receiving said members of said pair of first members and said second member from supplies thereof and orienting the same in adjacent relationship to each other; means for drawing said members of said pair of first members and said second member into engagement with each other and inserting the edge portions of said second member into the respective slot structures of said members of said pair of first members; and means for deforming spaced segments of said respective slot structures of said members of said pair of first members into interlocking engagement with said opposite edge portions of said second member, whereby said edge portions of said second member are securely clamped in said slot structures and said pair of first members and said second member are securely joined into an integral structural assembly.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 27 which further includes first means for supporting predetermined lengths of the members defining said first pair of members, and other means for supporting a substantially continuous supply of said second member; said respective supporting means being positioned in advance of said guide means.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 27 in which said deforming means comprises rotary mechanism for substantially simultaneously engaging said respective slot structures of said members of said pair of first members and deforming the same inwardly at predetermined spaced locations therealong.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 29 in which said rotary mechanism comprises at least two rotating wheels positioned to engage said respective slot structures of the members of said pair of first members simultaneously as said first members and said second member pass through said apparatus, each of said wheels having projections thereon, said projections deforming said slot structures at said predetermined locations to clamp said second member in the slot structures of said members of said pair of first members.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 30 which further includes back up means oriented to support said respective slot structures of said first members from the sides thereof opposite from said respective wheels during deformation of such slot structures.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 27 which further includes pressure means adjacent the discharge end of said apparatus against whih a completed length of a structural unit passes, said pressure means applying pressure to said unit to impart a predetermined amount of curvature thereto.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 28 which further includes cut-off means adjacent the discharge end of said apparatus for severing said second member from the supply thereof after assembly of said first members and said second member into a structural unit, whereby such unit may be discharged from said apparatus in a predetermined length.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 30 in which said projections on said wheels are peripherally spaced from each other whereby said slot structures are deformed at spaced locations longitudinally therealong.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 27 in which said guide means includes guide structure for receiving said members of said pair of first members and said second member from supplies thereof and bringing the same together in converging paths to facilitate interfitting the edge portions of said second member into the slot structures of said first members.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 35 which further includes pressure means for positively retaining said members of said pair of first members and said second member interfitted as they pass from said guide structure to said means for deforming said segments.

Claim 41

Apparatus for forming a structural unit comprising two structural members the first of which has a preformed deformable slot structure defined by opposed wall portions extending longitudinally thereof to receive therein an edge portion of the second member; said apparatus comprising guide means for receiving said members from supplies thereof and orienting the same in adjacent relationship to each Other; means for drawing said first and second members into engagement with each other and inserting the edge portion of said second member into the slot structure of said first member; and means for deforming spaced segments of said slot structure of said first member into locking engagement with said edge portion of said second member, such deformation being effected at spaced longitudinal locations along the length of said slot structure, whereby said edge portion of said second member is securely clamped in said slot structure of said first member and said members are joined securely together thereby into an integral structural assembly.

Claim 42

Apparatus for forming a structural unit comprising two structural members the first of which has a preformed deformable slot structure defined by opposed wall portions extending longitudinally thereof to receive therein an edge portion of the second member; said apparatus comprising guide means for receiving said members from supplies thereof and orienting the same in adjacent relationship to each Other; means for drawing said first and second members into engagement with each other and inserting the edge portion of said second member into the slot structure of said first member; and means for deforming spaced segments of said slot structure of said first member into locking engagement with said edge portion of said second member, such deformation being effected at spaced longitudinal locations along the length of said slot structure, whereby said edge portion of said second member is securely clamped in said slot structure of said first member and said members are joined securely together thereby into an integral structural assembly.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claim 37 which further includes first means for supporting predetermined lengths of said first member, and other means for supporting a substantially continuous supply of said second member; said respective supporting means being positioned in advance of said guide means.

Claim 44

The apparatus of claim 37 in which said deforming means comprises rotary mechanism for engaging said slot structure of said first member and deforming the same inwardly into interlocking engagement with said edge portion of said second member.

Claim 45

The apparatus of claim 39 in which said rotary mechanism comprises at least one rotating wheel positioned to engage said slot structure as said first and second members pass through said apparatus, said wheel ahving projections thereon for deforming said slot structure at said predetermined locations to clamp said edge portion of said second member in the slot structure of said first member.

Claim 46

The apparatus of claim 40 which includes back up means oriented to support said slot structure from the side thereof opposite from said rotating wheel during deformation of such slot structure.

Claim 47

The apparatus of claim 37 which further includes pressure means adjacent the discharge end of said apparatus against which a completed length of a structural unit passes, said pressure means applying pressure to said completed unit to impart a predetermined amount of curvature thereto.

Claim 48

The apparatus of claim 38 which further includes cut-off means adjacent the discharge end of said apparatus for severing said second structural member from the supply thereof after assembly of said first and second members into a structural unit, whereby such unit may be discharged from said apparatus in a predetermined length.

Claim 49

The apparatus of claim 40 in which said projections on said wheel are peripherally spaced from each other, whereby said slot structure is deformed at spaced locations longitudinally therealong.

Claim 50

The apparatus of claim 37 in which said guide means includes guide structure for receiving said first and second members from supplies thereof and bringing the same together in converging paths to facilitate interfitting said edge margin of said second member into the slot structure of said first member.

Claim 51

The apparatus of claim 45 which further includes pressure means for positively retaining said first and second members interfitted as they pass from said guide structure to said guide means for deforming said segments.