US3851684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for assembling flexible sheet material into frames
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-09
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1993-05-09
Abstract
Abstract The present disclosure is directed to an automated method for assembling flexible sheet material into a grooved frame and an apparatus for performing the method, wherein a pair of generally transversely spaced carriage means carrying pressing rollers are selectively, cyclically, sequentially and intermittently moved relative to each other in a generally transverse direction so that the rollers are effective to roll the flexible material into spline grooves formed in window frames and the like, thereby eliminating the necessity for longitudinally moving and/or rotating said frame during the assembling operation.
Inventors
- 👤 A Wyrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:50
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21F; B21F33/00; B21F33/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/49867; Y10T29/49892; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53039; Y10T29/53961; Y10T29/53974; Y10T29/53996
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for assembling flexible sheet material into a grooved frame comprising: a support surface; means to affix the frame to the surface and the sheet material over the frame and the grooves thereof; a first carriage means having two rollers thereon; means to move the first carriage means across the frame to roll the sheet material into the grooves on two sides of the frame; a second carriage means having two rollers thereon; and means to move the second carriage means across the frame to roll the sheet material into the grooves on the remaining two sideS of the frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for assembling flexible sheet material into a grooved frame comprising: a support surface; means to affix the frame to the surface and the sheet material over the frame and the grooves thereof; a first carriage means having two rollers thereon; means to move the first carriage means across the frame to roll the sheet material into the grooves on two sides of the frame; a second carriage means having two rollers thereon; and means to move the second carriage means across the frame to roll the sheet material into the grooves on the remaining two sideS of the frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means of affixing the frame to the surface and the sheet material over the frame and grooves thereof is comprised of: a clamping means selectively operated for contacting the frame and the sheet material being held on the surface; and roller means selectively cooperating with the clamping means and the sheet material for applying a tension to the sheet material over the frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the movement of each of the first and second carriage means is in a path defined between a first position and a second position, with each of the second positions determined by the position of a separate reversing means, whereby the reversing means are effective to cause the first and second carriage means to return to the first positions upon a contact therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, further comprising: a first actuation means that is activated by the first carriage means returning to the first position for actuating the means to move the second carriage means; and a second actuation means that is activated by the second carriage means returning to the first position for deactivating the means moving second carriage means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the reversing means are reversing switches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the first actuation means is a relay switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the second actuation means is a cut-off switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4, further comprising: means operatively associated with the first and second carriage means that are effective to selectively raise and lower the rollers thereon for insuring that the rollers will roll the sheet material into the grooves as long as the rollers are vertically adjacent the grooves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the means selectively raising and lowering the rollers comprises: follower means operatively connected to the rollers on both the first and second carriage means; and relief means adjustably positioned relative to both paths of the first and second carriage means for contact with the follower means so that when the follower means contacts the relief means the rollers are raised from the sheet material and the frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the follower means is a cam follower and the relief means are at least one generally elongated bar upon which the cam follower selectively rides.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the rollers of both the first and second carriage means are selectively adjustable relative to the first and second carriage means for accommodating frames of various sizes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising: means for selectively varying the magnitude of pressure the rollers exert on the sheet material, thereby providing a range of pressure that permits different types of sheet material to be rolled into the grooves.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of assembling at a single work station flexible sheet material into a four-sided grooved frame having a groove in each side thereof forming first and second pairs of grooves in opposed sides thereof, said method comprising the steps of a) securing said frame to a stationary support with the sheet material overlying said frame and said grooves therein, said sheet material having the upper surface thereof facing away from said frame, b) applying two rollers on a first movable carriage to said upper surface of said sheet material to roll said material into said first pair of grooves in opposed frame sides as said carriage moves, and c) applying two rollers on a second movable carriage to said upper surface of said sheet material to roll said material into said second pair of grooves in opposed frame sides as said second carriage moves.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of assembling at a single work station flexible sheet material into a four-sided grooved frame having a groove in each side thereof forming first and second pairs of grooves in opposed sides thereof, said method comprising the steps of a) securing said frame to a stationary support with the sheet material overlying said frame and said grooves therein, said sheet material having the upper surface thereof facing away from said frame, b) applying two rollers on a first movable carriage to said upper surface of said sheet material to roll said material into said first pair of grooves in opposed frame sides as said carriage moves, and c) applying two rollers on a second movable carriage to said upper surface of said sheet material to roll said material into said second pair of grooves in opposed frame sides as said second carriage moves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 13 comprising the further sTep of applying a spline along each of said grooves to secure said sheet material therein.
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) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |