Abstract: A seam for ductwork has a male end portion integrally formed at a distal end of a duct wall and a female end portion integrally formed at another distal end of the duct wall. The female end portion includes a first fold and a second fold, which define a female groove for accommodating the male portion. A distal end of the second fold is bent transverse to the female groove prior to the male portion being inserted into the female groove.

Abstract: A seam for ductwork has a male end portion integrally formed at a distal end of a duct wall and a female end portion integrally formed at another distal end of the duct wall. The female end portion includes a first fold and a second fold which define a female groove for accommodating the male portion. A distal end of the second fold is bent transverse to the female groove prior to the male portion being inserted into the female groove.

Abstract: A pre-beading apparatus for fashioning a cylindrical includes a housing have a work surface and an aperture formed in the work surface, where the aperture is capable of accommodating the cylindrical workpiece. A rotatable head assembly is concentrically aligned with the aperture, and includes a bead wheel and a cut wheel disposed on opposing distal ends of the rotatable head assembly. A gripper assembly is disposed within the housing and includes a securing means that extends into the cylindrical workpiece and permits selective movement of the cylindrical workpiece in an axial direction.

Abstract: A seam closing apparatus for use in sealing a duct seam having an outwardly extending sealing portion and a lower fold includes a handle portion having a power actuation trigger and a first roller for engaging the outwardly extending sealing portion of the duct seam. A second roller is also provided for engaging the lower fold of the duct seam. Operation of the power actuation trigger causes the first roller to rotate in a first direction, thereby flattening the outwardly extending sealing portion of the duct seam.

Abstract: A pre-beading apparatus for fashioning a cylindrical includes a housing have a work surface and an aperture formed in the work surface, where the aperture is capable of accommodating the cylindrical workpiece. A rotatable head assembly is concentrically aligned with the aperture, and includes a bead wheel and a cut wheel disposed on opposing distal ends of the rotatable head assembly. A gripper assembly is disposed within the housing and includes a securing means that extends into the cylindrical workpiece and permits selective movement of the cylindrical workpiece in an axial direction.

Abstract: A duct reinforcing rod and fabrication apparatus for use with a conduit and a threaded element dimensioned to fit within the conduit includes a positioning device to position the conduit at an insertion position and an insertion device for inserting the threaded element a predetermined distance into the conduit. A deformation device is also employed to deform the conduit such that the deformation occurs at two locations on the conduit, the two locations being longitudinally spaced from one another along a length of the conduit.

Abstract: A computerized positioning and cutting apparatus and method for automatically cutting structures to predetermined lengths with a minimum amount of scrap for a given project. The apparatus includes a frame and a positioning trough supported by the frame. A magazine is mounted to the frame, which is sized to receive uncut lengths of structure to be selectively fed to the positioning trough. A drive system is mounted to the frame and connected to a positioning system for positioning the uncut structures in the trough. A cutter is mounted on the frame to cut the structures as the positioning system feeds the structures through the trough. A controller having an associated computer system is in electrical communication with the drive system and the cutter. The computer system calculates the optimum number of cuts per a predetermined uncut length of structure to produce a minimum amount of waste structure for the project.

Abstract: An elbow rotator apparatus for rotating an integrally formed section of an elbow workpiece includes a pair of gripping arms which are selectively positionable in a first position displaced from the elbow workpiece, and a second position in which the gripping arms are in contact with the integral section of the elbow workpiece. A rotary actuator is operatively connected to the gripping arms to selectively rotate the gripping arms by a predetermined amount when the gripping arms are in the second position.

Abstract: A cutoff apparatus includes a blade and an actuator, the actuator being operatively connected to the blade for selectively moving the blade in a rectilinear direction. A cutting block is disposed adjacent the blade, and the cutting block is positioned off-center with respect to a plane defined by the blade's rectilinear movement. A depth control mechanism is utilized for selectively controlling a degree of movement of the blade toward the cutting block. Operation of the actuator selectively causes the blade to move in the rectilinear direction thereby impacting the cutting block to an extent in accordance with the depth control mechanism.

Abstract: A roller assembly for processing a substantially planar workpiece includes a first pinch rod and a second pinch rod mounted in opposition to the first pinch rod, the workpiece passing between the first pinch rod and the second pinch rod during operation. A radius rod is also mounted adjacent to the first pinch rod and the second pinch rod, the radius rod being selectively displaceable with respect to the first and second pinch rods to contact the workpiece after the workpiece has passed between the first and second pinch rods, the radius rod conferring a predetermined radius of curvature to the workpiece. The roller assembly further includes a roller mounted onto one of said first pinch rod, the second pinch rod or the radius rod, the roller being selectively positionable along one of the first pinch rod, the second pinch rod and the radius rod.

Abstract: A seam for ductwork has a male end portion integrally formed at a distal end of a duct wall and a female end portion integrally formed at another distal end of the duct wall. The female end portion includes a first fold and a second fold which define a female groove for accommodating the male portion. A distal end of the second fold is bent transverse to the female groove prior to the male portion being inserted into the female groove.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying glue is provided in which glue and water are selectively provided to a spray nozzle wherein the water supplied to the nozzle is used to remove any residual glue present after a gluing application. In one preferred embodiment, an outer conduit surrounds an inner conduit defining a first channel therebetween. The inner conduit supplies glue and the first channel supplies water. The outer conduit and the inner conduit are slidably engaged with each other. At least one spray nozzle is in communication with an outer conduit orifice. Slide conduit orifice valving provides selective communication of the outer conduit orifice with an inner conduit orifice and the first channel for selectively supplying glue, water, or neither to the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A seam closing apparatus for use in sealing a duct seam having an outwardly extending sealing portion and a lower fold includes a handle portion having a power actuation trigger and a first roller for engaging the outwardly extending sealing portion of the duct seam. A second roller is also provided for engaging the lower fold of the duct seam. Operation of the power actuation trigger causes the first roller to rotate in a first direction, thereby flattening the outwardly extending sealing portion of the duct seam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying glue is provided in which glue and water are selectively provided to a spray nozzle wherein the water supplied to the nozzle is used to remove any residual glue present after a gluing application. In one preferred embodiment, an outer conduit surrounds an inner conduit defining a first channel therebetween. The inner conduit supplies glue and the first channel supplies water. The outer conduit and the inner conduit are slidably engaged with each other. At least one spray nozzle is in communication with an outer conduit orifice. Slide conduit orifice valving provides selective communication of the outer conduit orifice with an inner conduit orifice and the first channel for selectively supplying glue, water, or neither to the spray nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved system for connecting the ends of sheet metal ducts wherein each duct end is provided with an integral frame. Corner connectors defining perpendicularly extending arms are associated with each frame, and bolts or other fasteners are utilized for connecting the connectors and integral frames. The sections include an upturned portion extending perpendicularly outwardly from the duct wall, a second portion bent rearwardly from the outer end of the first portion, a third portion extending from the outer end of the second portion and forming an L-shaped double wall portion. When the frame is formed in this fashion, it is adapted to receive the side edges of respected arms of corner connectors whereby the ducts may be efficiently assembled by locating corner connectors in place and thereafter applying the fasteners used for maintaining the assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved system for connecting the ends of sheet metal ducts wherein each duct end is provided with a double walled frame. Corner connectors defining perpendicularly extending arms are associated with each frame, and bolts or other fasteners are utilized for connecting the connectors and frames. The respective double walled frames comprise integral sections at the duct ends. The sections include an upturned portion extending perpendicularly outwardly from the duct wall, a second portion bent rearwardly from the outer end of the first portion, a third return portion, and an inner wall portion extending from the outer end of the third portion and forming a L-shaped portion. When the frame is formed in this fashion, it is adapted to receive the side edges of respective arms of corner connectors whereby the ducts may be efficiently assembled by locating corner connectors in place and thereafter applying the fasteners used for maintaining the assembly.

Abstract: An integral metal spacer for insulated glass units and method of fabricating the spacer. The spacer defines a substantially closed cross-section contour having a bottom surface, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of generally abutting inner surfaces. A gap may be defined between the adjacent inner surfaces. The three interior corners are defined by fully mitered sidewalls. A pair of bridges are provided to integrally interconnect the inner surfaces of adjacent spacer segments. The method of fabricating includes taking a roll of flat metal stock and completely punching all corner and other structures therein while the stock is planar; severing the punched stock into individual spacer members; roll-forming the individual members into a finished linear spacer piece; applying desiccant during roll-forming; applying sealant; thereafter folding the elongate member into a square spacer thereby locking the desiccant therein.

Abstract: An integral metal spacer for insulated glass units and method of fabricating the spacer. The spacer defines a substantially closed cross-section contour having a bottom surface, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of generally abutting inner surfaces. A gap may be defined between the adjacent inner surfaces. The three interior corners are defined by fully mitered sidewalls. A pair of bridges are provided to integrally interconnect the inner surfaces of adjacent spacer segments. The method of fabricating includes taking a roll of flat metal stock and completely punching all corner and other structures therein while the stock is planar; severing the punched stock into individual spacer members; roll-forming the individual members into a finished linear spacer piece; applying desiccant during roll-forming; applying sealant; thereafter folding the elongate member into a square spacer thereby locking the desiccant therein.

Abstract: A cornerless slip-on flange system for duct connections. The system utilizes flange pieces to form a frame at the end of a duct section without the use of connectors at the corners of the flanges, the frames of two sections being used to join the two ducts sections together. The flange pieces each have a male end and a female end with the male end of one flange piece being inserted into the female end of the adjacent flange piece at each corner to form the frame. The frames can then be installed on the ends of the ducts to be joined and fastened together by inserting suitable fasteners through preformed openings in the flange pieces.

Abstract: A duct joining system having two L-shaped connectors for each duct corner. Each connector has two substantially perpendicular legs forming a corner region and has an inside and an outside surface with the outside surface of one L-shaped connector abutting the outside surface of the other L-shaped connector when the ducts are joined. A orifice is formed in the corner region of each L-shaped connector in alignment with the orifice in the aubutting connector. A cleat is integrally formed with and extends inwardly from the peripheral edge of each of the orifices. A score line is formed at the base of each cleat on the outside surface of the connector to allow the cleat to be bent outwardly about the score line so as to extend through, and over the peripheral edge of, the orifice in the abutting L-shaped connector to lock the connectors together.