Abstract: A method for formation of duct from preformed pieces. A number of ductwork pieces are formed out of sheet material, the pieces having edge configurations adapted to interlock with each other to form a seam of a completed duct. The individual pieces are fed into an edge interlocking machine and are acted upon by the machine to form a duct having a predetermined length. The machine includes a stationary frame member, guide rails elongated in the direction of ductwork movement through the machine, rollers associated with at least some of the guide rails for effecting interlocking of the edge configurations of the duct work pieces to form duct seams, and structure for mounting the guide rails to the frame member. The guide rails are relatively movable with respect to the frame member and to each other to form ducts of different sizes and so that transition ducts can be formed as well as straight duct.

Abstract: A conveyor system that can readily transport I-beams, angle irons, T-beams, channel members, and like components without any modifications to the system being necessary. The system includes a plurality of sets of roller pairs, each roller being contoured so that it has various surfaces that will accept components and properly engage them for transport. Each pair of rollers is mounted for rotation about a common axis, and a power actuated structure is provided for adjusting the spacing between the rollers of each pair to accommodate components of different sizes.

Abstract: A sheet material cutting apparatus that is adjustable to cut pieces of insulation for duct work transition pieces or the like. First and second elongated support members are provided each having a cutting tool mounted thereon and movable along the length thereof. The support members are mounted at their opposite ends to first and second guide members, being pivotally movable with respect to the guide members and the support members being linearly movable with respect to the pivotal mounts. A cutting table is disposed beneath the cutting tools. The support members can be adjusted to any relative angular position with respect to each other, and with respect to the guide members, to cut out a wide variety of shapes of material from sheet material disposed on the support table. The guide members are also mounted so that the spacing therebetween is adjustable. Automatic or semi-automatic cutting of the sheet material may be effected using the cutting apparatus.

Abstract: A back pack frame that is convertible to a chair while still providing ready access to the pack supported by the frame, and is further convertible to a cot. A pack supporting structure with shoulder straps is mounted on a main support structure for linear movement along the main support structure, and so that it can be pivoted with respect to the main support structure to form a chair back, and further pivoted to form the head portion of a cot. User's legs support portions are telescopically received by the main support structure to provide leg supports for the chair or cot. Flexible fabric is mounted by rings to a bar of the main support structure, and is affixed to the pack supporting structure, so that upon movement of the pack supporting structure to the chair or cot orientation the fabric is drawn taut to form the seat portion of the chair, or middle portion of the cot.

Abstract: Apparatus for bundling and banding elongated objects such as angle irons. The objects fall between the walls of a U-channel shaped bundler which automatically stacks them. One or more retractable upper band guide structures then move over the bundler to enclose the stack of objects. A band is then fed around the objects against the bundler walls, base and upper guide structure by a banding assembly which also tightens and fastens the band securely around the objects. Rollers disposed on the bundler base and one wall permit the objects to be rolled off the bundler after banding is completed. Air pistons suitably provide all the necessary forces except rotation of the feeder which is electrically driven. The process is suitably controlled by computer or the like.

Abstract: A shearing assembly and method of effecting shearing utilizing the same. Any tendency of further the edges of steel stock being cut to roll is eliminated by providing a male die cutting blade (which cooperates with a female die) having a pair of shelf members, one associated with each cutting blade side face, for engaging the edge of material being sheared during the shearing operation. An actuator element is operatively connected to the male die for moving the cutting blade in a given linear direction, the rolling preventing being accomplished by providing a control structure for positively controlling the length of the stroke of the actuator element and attached cutting blades so that at the limit of travel of the cutting blade in the given linear direction the shelf members are spaced apart from the female die a distance corresponding to the thickness of material being sheared. A plurality of die groups are mounted on a rotating wheel.

Abstract: A plurality of two-piece fasteners are connected together by frangible plastic and are automatically fed past moveable wall portions to an area where they are in operative position to be acted upon by impacting pistons. A first inner and a second, outer, concentric pistons are provided, the second piston driving the outer component of the two-piece fastener through metal sheets to be connected together, and the first piston driving the inner fastener component. A common actuating piston may be provided for driving the first and second pistons, with the magazine for the fasteners connected up to the low pressure side of the common piston. It is not possible to fire the impacting device until a handle thereof has been rotated against spring pressure and the bottom thereof is in contact with the work.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acting on angle irons or the like. A vertical stack of angle irons is provided and the angle irons are fed one at a time to a punching position. At the punching position a hole of selected size is punched in the angle iron, and the angle iron is fed from the punching position in a linear direction of movement to a cutting position. The length of the angle iron to be cut is determined by measuring the length of angle iron in the direction of movement past the cutting position, and the angle iron is cut at the cutting position. Cutting is accomplished using a crankshaft with at least one cutting blade operatively connected to the crankshaft at a portion thereof offset from a line between the bushings, guide structures being provided for guiding the linear movement of the cutting blade. Each cut angle iron is removed from the cutting position in a direction normal to the linear direction of movement of the angle iron to the cutting position.

Abstract: A machine for automatically assembling radius elbows and/or O.G. sets, and the method of utilization of the machine. Four edge deformation effecting components, such as Pittsburg rollers or air hammers, are provided for interlocking edge configurations of ducts to be formed, the edge deformation components defining the corners of a vertical quadrate opening. Two of the components are mounted at the same vertical height above a fabrication table for movement relative to each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction of feed of duct pieces through the quadrate opening defined by the edge deforming components. The other two edge deformation components are located at substantially the same level as the rollers of the fabrication table, rollers of the fabrication table being disposed on either side of the vertical plane containing the four edge deformation components. The mounts for the edge deformation components are rotatable about vertical axes to accommodate O.G.

Abstract: A yoke construction for a power shear and a ball-bearing assembly are provided that allow easier cutting of sheet metal with the shear. The yoke includes an arm having upper and lower surfaces, with a ball bearing mounted in the lower surface for universal rotation with respect to the arm, the ball bearing engaging the top of a work table to allow easier pivoting of the shear during cutting. Also, a plurality of ball bearings may be provided on the arm upper surface for engaging the work piece. The ball bearings are mounted by a rigid support member having a generally conical end portion with a generally pointed tip, the tip providing a bearing surface for the ball bearing and urging it against a lip formed in the surface from which the ball bearing extends. The ball bearing mounting assembly may be provided as an insert.

Abstract: A powered impacting device including relativly movable concentric first and second pistons, the second piston providing a cylinder wall for guiding movement of the first piston. A spring is disposed between the pistons for exerting a biasing force maintaining the pistons in an initial relative position. A single impacting force is applied to the pistons, at first resulting in coincident movement thereof until the second piston drives an outer fastener component through workpieces to be fastened together, and then is stopped. The mass of the first piston is great enough to provide continued movement of the first piston, relative to the second piston against the bias of the spring, to drive an inner component of the fastener through the work to be assembled, deforming the outer component of the fastener so that the material pieces are held together.

Abstract: A power impacting device includes two driving pistons, an inner piston, and an outer piston concentric with the inner piston. Pressurized fluid is supplied first to the outer piston and then to the inner piston to drive a two-piece fastener through material which it is to fasten together. The fastener includes an outer component which is driven by the outer piston, and an inner component which is driven by the inner piston to cam tip portions of the outer component radially outwardly to tightly hold two or more workpieces together. The fasteners may be automatically fed to the impacting device, and frangible links provided therewith for engaging riflings in the barrel of the impacting device to impart a rotational velocity component to the fasteners when they are driven. The impacting device is inoperative unless it is pressed into contact with the surface into which fasteners are to be driven and a handle safety mechanism is operated, and a loading gate allowing the feed of fasteners to the device is closed.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a supply of angle irons or like elongated members. A dispensing magazine includes a pair of side walls and a bottom wall, the magazine being pivotal about a horizontal axis for movement from a first operating position where the walls are generally vertical to a second loading position where the walls are generally horizontal. The angle irons in the vertical stack with the side walls in the first position are moved upwardly as the top angle iron is removed, so that the top angle iron in the vertical stack is always substantially at the same vertical level. An ejecting cylinder or the like is provided for pushing the top angle iron from the vertical stack off of the stack when the magazine is in the first position.

Abstract: A bracket mounting assembly for mounting an object to a stationary plate, in general, and in particular for mounting a CB radio or the like in a motor vehicle. Although the bracket mounting assembly is detachable, and readily installable, by an authorized person, no access is available to the mounting portions thereof from the exterior so that an unauthorized individual attempting to remove the object must either destroy the stationary plate, the object, or the several structural components of the mounting assembly. The assembly includes first and second general U-shaped members, fasteners for fastening the object to both of the first and second members extending from the interior of the object into operative association with each leg of the second member, and second fasteners for fastening the second member to the stationary plate, the cross portion of the first U-shaped member covering the second fasteners when the bracket is assembled.

Abstract: An assembly for automatically feeding workpieces to and from a numerically controlled turret punch. A loader magazine having an adjustable volume for receiving a stack of workpieces is disposed on one side of a turret punch, and an unloader magazine having a similar adjustable volume for receiving a stack of workpieces is disposed on the opposite side of the turret punch. An ejector associated with a loader magazine ejects the top workpiece from the loader magazine to horizontally feed it into operative association with clamps of the turret punch. The turret punch clamps are moveable with respect to the punching tools, and the punching tools are moveable and operated to effect punching of the workpiece until it has a desired finished configuration.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for locking first and second relatively movable members together to prevent relative movement therebetween. A first set of spaced tubular members having aligned bores is mounted on the first member, and a second set of spaced tubular members having aligned bores is mounted on the second member. The tubular members of the second set are spaced apart in a manner to receive the first set therebetween with the bores of the first and second sets aligned. A removable hardened metal latching bolt having cross-sectional dimensions, generally corresponding in shape to the shape of the bores in the tubular members, is passed through such bores, and received by the tubular members to hold the first and second sets in alignment, A locking structure holds the latching bolt in place, the locking structure including a key-release lock, and a locking bolt extending generally perpendicular to the latching bolt and in interfering engagement therewith.

Abstract: A theft-preventing container for an appliance such as a CB radio. A metal box receives the appliance therein, the box having one wall with an access opening to allow access to controls of the appliance within the box, and one of the box walls is movable to allow removal of the appliance from within the box. A latching structure is provided to latch the movable box wall to the rest of the box to prevent unauthorized movement of the movable box wall. The latching structure includes interfitting groups of tubular members having aligned bores formed on the movable wall and a stationary wall of the box, a removable hardened metal latching bolt for receipt by the tubular members, and a locking device, including a key release structure, for holding the latching bolt in place when it is received by the tubular members and prevents relative movement between the tubular members.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting pieces of insulation used to line specially-shaped ductwork, such as radius elbows and O. G. sets. A pair of telescoping trammel tubes are pivotal about a pivot post, and radially movable with respect to the post to assume any desired, graduated, relative position. A cutter wheel is disposed on the end of each of the trammel tubes, and the cutter wheels may be movable from one position wherein they are in line with the trammel tubes, and thus can make a radial cut, to a second position wherein they are disposed substantially 90.degree. with respect to the trammel tubes, and thus can make an arcuate cut with the pivot post generally at the center of the arc. The tubes can be manipulated with respect to the pivot post and with respect to each other, and the cutter wheels may be manipulated with respect to the tubes, so that both radial and true arcuate cuts can be made in insulation to produce an insulation piece of the desired dimensions quickly and accurately.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically cutting wrappers or the like from metal sheets. A metal sheet is conveyed in the x-direction to a cutting position wherein a pair of cutting blade (i.e., shears) assemblies cut edge portions from the metal sheet to form a cut wrapper or the like having longitudinal edges. The cutting assemblies are movable in the y-dimension--transverse to the x-direction--and are also angularly movable. From the cutting position the cut wrapper is continuously conveyed to a notching position wherein notching assemblies also movable in the y-dimension may form notches in the longitudinal edges of the cut wrapper. At a further point in the x-direction, an edge deforming position may be provided including edge deforming apparatus that also is movable in the y-dimension. Flexible elongated members or the like support the metal sheet spaced from its conveyor during conveying to prevent damage to the conveyor by the cutting or notching assemblies.