Including Roller-cluster Patents (Class 72/178)
  • Patent number: 11745242
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that flexibly form variable component geometries in a roll-forming process. An example roll-forming apparatus includes a forming unit to move along a stationary component to form a cross-section in the component, a first roll operatively coupled to the forming unit to engage the component, and a second roll operatively coupled to the forming unit to set a forming angle for movement along the component, the component formed between the first roll and the second roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: THE BRADBURY CO., INC.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Smith, Jamie Wollenberg, Dustin Krug
  • Patent number: 11124851
    Abstract: A press hardening steel by a thin slab and having a tensile strength of 1900 MPa or more includes following components by weight: C: 0.31-0.40%, Si: 0.36-0.44%, Mn: 1.6-2.0%, P?0.006%, S?0.004%, Als: 0.015-0.060%, Cr: 0.36-0.49%, Ti: 0.036-0.045% or Nb: 0.036-0.045% or V: 0.036-0.045% or a mixture of any two or more of the above in any proportion, B: 0.004-0.005%, Mo: 0.26-0.35%, and N?0.005%. A method for producing the press hardening steel includes following steps: molten iron desulphurization; smelting and refining by an electric furnace or converter; continuous casting; descaling treatment before entering a soaking furnace; heating and soaking; high pressure water descaling before entering a rolling mill; hot rolling; cooling; coiling; austenitizing; die deforming and quenching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: WUHAN IRON AND STEEL COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xinping Mao, Libo Pan, Kuanhui Hu, Shuize Wang, Rui Ge, Lijun Li, Tao Peng, Xiaoping Duan, Fang Fang
  • Patent number: 10995380
    Abstract: A press hardening steel by a thin slab casting and direct rolling has a tensile strength of 1500 MPa or more. The press hardening steel has a components by weight percent: C: 0.21-0.25%, Si: 0.26-0.30%, Mn: 1.0-1.3%, P?0.01%, S?0.005%, Als: 0.015-0.060%, Cr: 0.25-0.30%, Ti: 0.026-0.030% or Nb: 0.026-0.030% or V: 0.026-0.030%, or a mixture of two or more of the above in any proportion; B: 0.003-0.004%, and N?0.005%. A method for producing the press hardening steel includes following steps: hot metal desulphurization; electric-furnace or converter smelting and refining; continuous casting; descaling, then entering a soaking furnace; heating and soaking; high-pressure water descaling, then entering a rolling mill; hot rolling; cooling; coiling; austenitizing; die deforming and quenching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: WUHAN IRON AND STEEL COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xinping Mao, Kuanhui Hu, Shuize Wang, Libo Pan, Rui Ge, Lijun Li, Tao Peng, Xiaofeng Du, Wenqiang Zhou
  • Patent number: 10988820
    Abstract: A press hardening steel by a medium thin slab and having a tensile strength of 1500 MPa or more, includes following components by weight percent: C: 0.21%-0.25%, Si: 0.26%-0.30%, Mn: 1.0%-1.3%, P?0.01%, S?0.005%, Als: 0.015%-0.060%, Cr: 0.25%-0.30%, Ti: 0.026%-0.030% or Nb: 0.026%-0.030% or V: 0.026%-0.030% or a mixture of any two or more of the above in any proportion, B: 0.003%-0.004%, Mo: 0.17-0.19% and N?0.005%. A method for producing the press hardening steel includes following steps: molten iron desulphurization; smelting and refining by an electric furnace or converter; continuous casting; descaling treatment before entering a soaking furnace; hating and soaking; high pressure water descaling before entering a rolling mill; hot rolling; cooling; coiling; austenitizing; die deforming and quenching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: WUHAN IRON AND STEEL COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xinping Mao, Kuanhui Hu, Shuize Wang, Libo Pan, Rui Ge, Lijun Li, Tao Peng, Xiaofeng Du, Fang Fang
  • Patent number: 9776227
    Abstract: A flexible roll-die forming machine for variable cross-section parts includes: a feeding device and a flexible roll-die forming unit; wherein the flexible roll-die forming unit includes at least a set of flexible roll-die forming devices; when two or more sets of the flexible roll-die forming devices are provided, the flexible roll-die forming devices are connected in sequence; wherein the feeding device is arranged at a front end of the flexible roll-die forming unit and is connected to an adjacent flexible roll-die forming device. The present invention effectively solves problems that conventional flexible roll-die forming machines are not able to produce narrow part with variable cross-sections, and the forming accuracy is poor. The present invention also reduces the amount of shafts controlled by servo motors, so as to simplify the controlling system, improve system operation reliability and simplify maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: NORTH CHINA UNIVERSITY OF TECHONLOGY
    Inventors: Qiang Li, Zhenfeng Yang, Yanzhi Guan, Haibo Wang, Yu Yan
  • Patent number: 9676580
    Abstract: A recording-medium ejecting device includes a first rotating member that rotates and a second rotating member that faces the first rotating member and that is rotated by rotation of the first rotating member. At least one of the first rotating member or the second rotating member is provided with projections and recesses at both ends thereof. The projections and recesses are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction. The projections extend continuously from a rotating member body in an axial direction and have a diameter greater than that of the rotating member body. The recesses extend continuously from the rotating member body in the axial direction and have a diameter smaller than that of the rotating member body. The projections at one end of the rotating member body and the projections at the other end of the rotating member body are at the same positions in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seongwoo Baek, Munseok Yang, Daesung Kim, Senggyu Cho, Youngsea Park, Minsu Han
  • Patent number: 9050640
    Abstract: A forming machine adapted to form a longitudinal margin of a strip of material into a desired profile incorporates a mechanism for adjusting a lateral distance between a rail structure and the machine's drive mechanism. The adjustment mechanism comprises an elongate shaft assembly having at least a primary shaft segment and a secondary shaft segment, at least one projection shaft that extends transversely to the elongate shaft assembly, and a support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NEW TECH MACHINERY
    Inventors: Ronald W. Schell, Jeffrey A. Fry, Adam J. Binderup, John W. DeBerard
  • Patent number: 9027376
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for automatically inserting angle plates into duct work and for seaming the duct work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: HVAC Inventors/Systemation, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Daw, Cody B. Umberger, Michael C. Borwig
  • Patent number: 8847107
    Abstract: A roll forming system which roll-forms a shaped beam by a roll forming unit including a plurality of roll formers is disclosed. A laser welding device for the roll forming system may include: front and rear guide means disposed apart from each other at the rear of the roll forming unit, and guiding movement of the shaped beam; laser welding means mounted above and between the front and rear guide means, reciprocatedly rotating a mirror by controlling a mirror motor so as to irradiate a laser beam to a welding position of the shaped beam, and thereby forming a welding bead having a predetermined welding pattern; forming speed detecting means detecting a forming speed of the shaped beam and transmitting a signal corresponding thereto to a controller; a camera disposed at the rear of the laser welding means, photographing a welding portion of the shaped beam, and transmitting an image signal corresponding thereto to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sungwoo Hitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mun-Yong Lee, Hyun-Uk Seol
  • Patent number: 8829384
    Abstract: A guiding and shaping system for producing welded pipes made from metallic strip material. The guiding and shaping system comprises several pairs of rolls that are disposed one behind another in the direction of travel of the workpiece and are used for increasingly cold-working and bending the edges of the workpiece as the workpiece advances. First pairs of rolls grip the top side and bottom side of the workpiece while pairs of rolls that grip the external faces of the bent edges and form the shape of a pipe are provided in the region where the bent edges form undercuts. The guiding and shaping system further comprises a welding device. The workpiece is supported by floatingly mounted lateral rolls until cooling off following the welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Wuppermann Edelstahltechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20140130562
    Abstract: A squeeze roll stand includes a combination of a fixed portion installed at a joint position of an electric resistance welded pipe manufacturing line, in which squeeze rolls excluding left and right upper rolls are detachably assembled, and a movable portion overlying the fixed portion, inside which left and right upper rolls are detachably assembled, the movable portion being inclined, taking a back surface downstream side as a fulcrum point, toward a same side from an assembling position on the fixed portion to a retreat position to open an upper part of the fixed portion. The movable portion is driven and reciprocated between the assembling position and the retreat position with cylinder type actuators as a drive mechanism. At the retreat position, the movable portion overlies a bead grinding device arranged on the back surface downstream side of the fixed portion with a front surface facing upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: NAKATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yabuta, Feizhou Wang, Satoshi Tsuruta, Shoji Shibata, Kunihiko Hatabara, Katsumi Fujino
  • Publication number: 20130118420
    Abstract: In a heat transfer tube for a steam generator, a surface roughness of an inner surface of the tube is measured along a longitudinal direction and an amount of dimensional variation in a length of 50 mm taken from a measured roughness chart is 4 ?m or less and an amount of bend crookedness in a portion of a length of 1000 mm from a tube end is 1 mm or less. Hence, when the tube is produced, an inspection of the tube by an eddy current flaw detection can be conducted at a high S/N ratio and hence an inspection efficiency can be improved, and when the tube is assembled into a heat exchanger, the assembling operation can be easily performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatoshi Toyoda, Kouichi Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8281631
    Abstract: A corrugated metal sheet member fabrication system formed of a material feeder, a roller-ramming unit, a cutting unit, a conveyer, and a finished product receiving rack is disclosed. When the reciprocating cutting-off device is moved forwards or backwards, the belt frame of the conveyer is synchronously moved to carry the movable frames forwards or backwards, and therefore the front driven roller and the rear driven roller with the conveying belt are moved with the movable frames forwards to the extended position or backwards to the retrieved position. After the movable frames has been moved forwards, the front side of the conveying belt is kept spaced above the base for receiving finished products from the reciprocating cutting-off device of the cutting unit and delivering collected finished products to the finished product receiving rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Chun-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 8210014
    Abstract: A flexible forming device for forming three-dimensional shaped workpieces, comprising a frame, at least two working rollers, one or more working roller driving mechanisms and one or more adjusting mechanisms, wherein the working rollers, the one or more working roller driving mechanisms and the one or more adjusting mechanisms are installed on the frame respectively. At least one of the working rollers is a flexible working roller, which is bendable and adjustable. The forming device need not use mold and can realize the continuous formation of a three-dimensional curved surface of a plate-shaped workpiece, and the gradual formation of a tube-shaped or bar-shaped three-dimensional shaped workpiece. The forming device can save manpower, material and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Jilin University
    Inventors: Mingzhe Li, Zhiqing Hu, Zhongyi Cai, Wenzhi Fu, Chunguo Liu, Zhen Sui, Xiangji Cui, Yushan Deng, Gang Sun, Xiangji Li
  • Patent number: 8181499
    Abstract: A beam with a hat-shaped profile with a cross-section that varies along its length is successively formed from a plane sheet metal strip using a roll-forming machine with a number of forming stations. The forming stations (11, 12) have a pair of clamping rollers (21, 22 and 23, 24) for each side flange (16, 17) and support rollers (25, 26) for the central flange. The pairs of clamping rollers in the forming stations can be displaced both horizontally and vertically during a forming operation, and the support rollers (25, 26) can be displaced vertically and they can be displaced individually in a sideways direction. All four corners (27-30) of the hat-shaped beam are formed at the same time, whereby the corners are folded on the peripheral edges of the clamping rollers and support rollers. Not only the axes of the pairs of clamping rollers but also of the support rollers can be turned in order to adapt to the corners that are being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Ortic 3D AB
    Inventor: Lars Ingvarsson
  • Patent number: 8151615
    Abstract: A profiling machine for forming U, C and Z profiles includes a final profiling unit having a first fixed shoulder disposed inclined to the vertical plane and supporting a plurality of profiling stations each consisting of a pair of profiling rollers, and a second shoulder supporting a plurality of profiling stations each consisting of two pairs of profiling rollers, said second shoulder being hinged on a longitudinal axis to be able to pass from a position for forming Z profiles to a position for forming C and U profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: STAM S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luigi Sacca′
  • Patent number: 7984633
    Abstract: A method of roll forming a metal plate with a desired bend. The method includes a first step of providing a roll press having at least a first and second set of bending rollers; a second step of positioning a lead end of the metal plate past the first set of bending rollers prior to the first set of bending rollers applying a bending force to the metal plate; a third step of applying a bending force with the first set of bending rollers to the metal plate at a point behind the lead end; and a fourth step of moving the lead end of the metal plate past the second set of bending rollers prior to the second set of bending rollers applying a bending force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Hayes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7721579
    Abstract: A cold roll forming mill for the manufacture of hollow flange seam welded beams from a single strip of metal comprises a forming station (1), a seam guide and welding station (2) and a shaping station (3). Either or both of the forming and shaping stations (1, 3) comprise independently supported side engaging roll combinations (7, 12) adapted, in use, to roll either or both of opposite sides of the strip. Adjacent transverse pairs of side engaging roll (7, 12) combinations are selectively movable relative to each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip through said mill. At least some of the side engaging roll combinations (7, 12) are driven. Drive rolls (6) spaced within the forming and shaping stations (1, 3) engage the strip between opposite edges thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Smorgon Steel Litesteel Products Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Ross John Bartlett, Alexander Noller
  • Publication number: 20090205387
    Abstract: A system for low-force roll folding effects bending of a two-dimensional sheet material having one or more predetermined fold lines into three-dimensional article. The system may include a sheet material with bend-facilitating structure extending along a length one or more of the predetermined fold lines, a stand of rollers configured to effect bending of the sheet metal along the bend-facilitating structure, and a driver to move the stand of folding rollers relative to the sheet material along the length of one or more of the predetermined fold lines to effect bending of the sheet material along the bend-facilitating structure. A method for low-force roll folding is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Industrial Origami, Inc.
    Inventors: Max W. Durney, Michael S. Binion
  • Publication number: 20090113974
    Abstract: A beam with a hat-shaped profile with a cross-section that varies along its length is successively formed from a plane sheet metal strip using a roll-forming machine with a number of forming stations. The forming stations (11, 12) have a pair of clamping rollers (21, 22 and 23, 24) for each side flange (16, 17) and support rollers (25, 26) for the central flange. The pairs of clamping rollers in the forming stations can be displaced both horizontally and vertically during a forming operation, and the support rollers (25, 26) can be displaced vertically and they can be displaced individually in a sideways direction. All four corners (27-30) of the hat-shaped beam are formed at the same time, whereby the corners are folded on the peripheral edges of the clamping rollers and support rollers. Not only the axes of the pairs of clamping rollers but also of the support rollers can be turned in order to adapt to the corners that are being formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: ORTIC 3D AB
    Inventor: Lars Ingvarsson
  • Publication number: 20090100889
    Abstract: A cutoff unit for cutting a variably swept continuous beam extending from a roll forming mill includes a pickup subassembly for tracking a shape of the continuous beam, and a cutoff subassembly that engages and supports sides of the continuous beam while a blade slices transversely through the continuous beam. A controller connected to the roll forming mill and to the cutoff unit controls the cutoff unit to allow pass through of the continuous beam, and is configured to actuate the pickup and then actuate the blade to cut the continuous beam into longitudinally symmetrical beam segments, each having a center section (swept or not) and with mirror-image equally-swept end sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Richard D. Heinz, James H. Dodd, Wayne L. Ferris
  • Patent number: 7343767
    Abstract: A roller tool is used within a sheet deformation facility for the linear deformation of sheet metal. The roller tool comprises a press roller having a shaft and a roller body rolling around the same as well as a counterbody. The press roller and the counterbody can be jointly moved in a linear manner relative to a sheet positioned between them that is to be processed for performing the sheet metal deformation. The roller body has a plurality of roller discs which are adjacent to each other, which together form the section of the roller body that can be placed onto the sheet to be processed and which can rotate around the shaft independently of each other. The sheet deformation facility is furthermore provided with a roller tool support and a drive for pivoting the roller tool support around an axis perpendicular to the sheet that is to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pass Stanztechnik AG
    Inventors: Hans Jürgen Bauer, Florian Keller
  • Patent number: 7275403
    Abstract: A rain gutter roll forming machine wherein the final forming station has the exit drive rollers removed therefrom. The forming rollers for the lower front and back corners of the gutter are mounted for rotation about a single substantially horizontal axis and are supported by a camber adjustment plate. The camber adjustment plate is pivotable about a pivot point which is substantially within the plane of the bottom wall of the gutter. Accordingly, the relative pressures applied to the gutter by the corner forming rollers can be varied to compensate for longitudinal curvature of the gutter due to differential drag on the front and back gutter walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignees: Englert, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7127926
    Abstract: A method of making Circular and Oval Flanged Rings, for the connection of thin walled circular and oval ducting, including Circular and Oval Flanged Rings having a Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) standard T24 Profile. Thin gauge Lock Form Quality steel, from 10 to 20 gauge, is cut into strips with the strip ends butt welded forming Flanged Ring Band Stock which is inserted and clamped into a Spinning Die. The Spinning Die is rotated by a horizontally configured lathe output shaft presenting the extended portion of the Flanged Ring Band Stock for machine tool forming. Standard machine tools are used to form the Flanged Ring Band Stock into a Circular Flanged Ring including the SMACNA T24 Flanged Ring Profile. A Circular Flanged Ring is cut along a diameter into Semi-circular Flanged Ring Portions; straight segments including segments with SMACNA T24 Linear Segments are roll formed, assembled into a oval shape within a fixture and welded forming the Oval Flanged Ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: J. A. Hermanson
  • Patent number: 6604397
    Abstract: A rollforming machine includes an apparatus for adjusting a forming roll for forming components from materials of different thicknesses. The rollforming machine further includes an apparatus structured and arranged for overbending the component being rollformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Dietrich Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred C. Patty, John M. Pacalo, III, Norman J. Hedman, Larry E. Stimpert, II, Joseph A. Jinkens
  • Patent number: 6434994
    Abstract: A roll-forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of roll-forming stations adapted to facilitate the formation of either a C-shaped component or a Z-shaped component from a sheet of material. The roll-forming stations have forming rolls that make contact with the sheet of material and a pair of telescoping arbor assemblies that support the forming rolls so that the lateral distance between the forming rolls may be adjusted. The roll-forming apparatus has a number of movable forming rolls and a number of fixed forming rolls having two different forming surfaces to facilitate the formation of both C-shaped and Z-shaped components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: The Bradbury Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip E. Bradbury, Karl E. Voth, Wayne Fisher
  • Patent number: 6289708
    Abstract: An apparatus for roll forming purlins and the like from a metal strip (37) allows the choice between upwards bending and downwards bending by means of two sets of forming rollers (40, 43) arranged on either side of drive rollers (38, 39, 41, 42) feeding the strip (37). At least one of the two set of forming rollers (40, 43) is vertically adjustable. The apparatus can be applied, for instance, to the forming of steel profiles for construction purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Samesor Oy
    Inventor: Rauno Keinänen
  • Patent number: 6289706
    Abstract: A method of making Circular and Oval Flanged Rings, for the connection of thin walled circular and oval ducting, including Circular and Oval Flanged Rings having a Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) standard T24 Profile. Thin gauge Lock Form Quality steel, from 10 to 20 gauge, is cut into strips with the strip ends butt welded forming Flanged Ring Band Stock which is inserted and clamped into a Spinning Die. The Spinning Die is rotated by a horizontally configured lathe output shaft presenting the extended portion of the Flanged Ring Band Stock for machine tool forming. Standard machine tools are used to form the Flanged Ring Band Stock into a Circular Flanged Ring including the SMACNA T24 Flanged Ring Profile. A Circular Flanged Ring is cut along a diameter into Semi-circular Flanged Ring Portions; straight segments including segments with SMACNA T24 Linear Segments are roll formed, assembled into a oval shape within a fixture and welded forming the Oval Flanged Ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: J. A. Hermanson
  • Patent number: 6282937
    Abstract: A tool for reshaping corner bead, which is perforated right angle metal strip used in fabrication of corners in drywall building construction, spreads the legs of 90 degree angle corner bead outwardly to increase the included angle thereof. The bead is rolled between a pressure roller and a multiplicity of idler rollers. The apex of the bead runs in a circumferential groove of the vertically adjustable pressure roller which presses downwardly as the legs ride upon idler rollers which resist the downward force while allowing sideward motion of the legs. Preferably, the rollers are comprised of mated pairs of hemispheres and the bead is made to pass through the tool by driving the pressure roller with a screw gun. The frame of the tool has a detachable tang which enables the tool to be mounted from the side wall pocket of a common pickup truck box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Bead Master Company LLC
    Inventor: Robert Michaud
  • Publication number: 20010011468
    Abstract: A roll-forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of roll-forming stations adapted to facilitate the formation of either a C-shaped component or a Z-shaped component from a sheet of material. The roll-forming stations have forming rolls that make contact with the sheet of material and a pair of telescoping arbor assemblies that support the forming rolls so that the lateral distance between the forming rolls may be adjusted. The roll-forming apparatus has a number of movable forming rolls and a number of fixed forming rolls having two different forming surfaces to facilitate the formation of both C-shaped and Z-shaped components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Applicant: the Bradbury Company
    Inventors: Philip E. Bradbury, Karl E. Voth, Wayne Fisher
  • Patent number: 6216514
    Abstract: A roll-forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of roll-forming stations adapted to facilitate the formation of either a C-shaped component or a Z-shaped component from a sheet of material. The roll-forming stations have forming rolls that make contact with the sheet of material and a pair of telescoping arbor assemblies that support the forming rolls so that the lateral distance between the forming rolls may be adjusted. The roll-forming apparatus has a number of movable forming rolls and a number of fixed forming rolls having two different forming surfaces to facilitate the formation of both C-shaped and Z-shaped components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: The Bradbury Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip E. Bradbury, Karl E. Voth, Wayne Fisher
  • Patent number: 6148654
    Abstract: A convertible roll forming apparatus for forming flanges on a strip of material in which a roller assembly is supported on a support stand and disposed to move the strip material in a material feed direction. A pivotal support assembly supports a knuckle member for pressing against an edge portion of the strip material, the knuckle member cooperating with the support assemblies to progressively form the edge portion into a flange. The support assembly can be selectively disposed to form the edge portion in a first direction or in an opposing second direction. The strip material can be passed through serial passes of support assemblies and knuckle members to progressively form the flange. The roller assembly is supported for lateral expansion to accommodate various widths of strip material as required, and a lip forming section is provided to form a lip on the outer edge of the formed flange. Flange straightener assemblies are also provided to control the overbend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: ASC Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Jensen, Robert G. McLellan, Terrance L. Jud
  • Patent number: 5983691
    Abstract: A roll-forming apparatus of the type used to form components, such as purlins, having C-shaped and/or Z-shaped cross-sections from sheets of planar material is provided with a plurality of roll-forming stations adapted to form first and second components each of which has a C-shaped cross section with a center portion and a pair of legs connected to the center portion, where the legs of the first component have a first length and the legs of the second component have a second length different than the first length. The roll-forming stations include a first roll-forming station having a plurality of forming rolls and a second roll-forming station for forming the legs of the first and second components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: The Bradbury Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl E. Voth, Philip E. Bradbury
  • Patent number: 5946961
    Abstract: The inventive apparatus allows for bowing a continuous web being advanced axially of its length, about either or both axes that lie parallel to or perpendicular to its length. The parallel axis bowing structures include a plurality of separate stations spaced axially apart of web travel, each station having a pair of cylindrical outer rollers and a convex inner roller, respectively supported on opposite sides of the web operable to engage the web faces generally opposite one another. All outer rollers can be substantially the same and all inner rollers can be substantially the same. Mounting structures set the orientation of or included angle between the outer rollers differently at the different stations, to be parallel to different portions of the inner roller. Threaded screws force the rollers against opposite web faces, yielding progressive web bowing up to the curvatures of the inner roller as the web proceeds past each station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Buhrke Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Stone
  • Patent number: 5941114
    Abstract: A rolling system for producing an angle and a rolling method using such rolling system. The rolling system includes a heating apparatus for heating a steel strip while it is running, a universal mill composed of a pair of vertical rolls each having a groove in the peripheral surface thereof, and a pair of horizontal rolls. One of the pairs of the horizontal rolls have a groove at a longitudinal central portion thereof. Also provided is a group of two-high mills with grooved rolls that are closely disposed one behind the other. The heating apparatus may include a direct current-applying heating apparatus. Since the steel strip that is rolled on the universal mill increases the thickness of a central portion thereof, it is possible to roll an angle from a steel strip whose thickness is the same as the thickness of the flanges of the produced angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kusaba
  • Patent number: 5878614
    Abstract: In the fin pass forming apparatus, the fin roller is split in two symmetrically with respect to the center line of the flow direction of a steel pipe to be formed, and a plurality of side rollers are arranged on a section perpendicular to the flow direction of the steel pipe. At least one fin roller stand is mixed in a group of roller stands including a cluster mill composed of a lower roller and a plurality of pairs of side rollers. The fin roller arranged in the cluster mill is split in two, one is a roller on the work side and the other is a roller on the drive side. The split fin rollers come into contact with a steel pipe to be formed at arbitrary positions in arbitrary directions in the circumferential direction of the steel pipe to be formed so as to conduct a fin pass formation. The plurality of fin pass forming rollers are arranged on a section different from the flow direction of the steel pipe to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Nakata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsumu Okamoto
  • Patent number: 5784911
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a welded pipe. The apparatus includes a cage or cluster roller molding system. In either case, a rotary axis of each roller is slanted counterclockwise or clockwise with respect to a manufacturing line direction of the apparatus. The adjustable positioning of the rotary axis reduces vertical slip caused when the strip of material passes along the contact surface of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignees: Kusakabe Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Hashimoto, Takaaki Toyooka, Motoaki Itatani, Susumu Itatani, Tsutomu Ide
  • Patent number: 5704243
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a forming method and forming stand for forming a welded pipe of high dimensional accuracy on a welded pipe manufacturing line in which a metallic strip of a predetermined width is continuously formed by rolls and then welded, and more particularly the present invention is to provide a forming method and forming stand for forming both edge portions of the metallic strip with high accuracy. Positions of two pairs of upper and lower horizontal forming rolls or two upper horizontal forming rolls, the rolls being provided when the upper and lower horizontal rolls are divided into two with respect to the width direction of the metallic strip, can be adjusted in the width direction, and each divided upper roll can be turned and fixed on a vertical axis. Further, in order to exhibit the effect of the present invention at the maximum, the turning direction and turning angle of each upper roll is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Hada, Yasuo Kimiya, Daigo Sumimoto
  • Patent number: 5669260
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elongated rail (12) with a C-shaped cross-section transversely of its elongated direction from a sheet metal strip (1) by bending marginal sections along each elongated side edge (2) of the strip at 90.degree. with respect to the surface of the strip. Effecting the bending action by discs (5, 6, 7). Next using a profiling disc (8) rolling a profiled surface into each of the side edges (2) and then after returning the marginal edges to their original thickness, bending the strip into a C-shaped cross section extending transversely of its elongated direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Stampfl, Siegfried Hofle, Walter Hintersteiner
  • Patent number: 5647241
    Abstract: A tube forming machine having at least two upper forming roll members in the breakdown section which may be selectively indexed into cooperative working relation with a lower forming roll member to produce different size tubes without the necessity of physically removing the upper forming roll member and replacing the same with another forming roll member of a different configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Abbey Etna Machine Company
    Inventors: Lewis H. Ruple, Susan J. Taber
  • Patent number: 5638715
    Abstract: A method of forming a high fin density heatsink from a plurality of fins each having a bottom portion of generally bell-bottom shape and a base unit of predetermined thickness having a plurality of grooves therein. The method comprises the steps of placing the plurality of fins loosely in respective ones of the grooves, and applying downward and horizontal pressure to the base unit intermediate respective ones of the fins for swaging the base unit so as to urge the fins downwardly into the respective ones of the grooves thereby creating a solid connection between the base unit and the fins with excellent thermal contact therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: R-Theta Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Lipinski
  • Patent number: 5491998
    Abstract: An improved elongated gutter system for mounting under the edge of a roof of a structure for receiving water run-off in preference to leaves and debris. The gutter system includes a back support wall having a top and a bottom for mounting against a wall of the structure. A trough is joined to the bottom of the back support wall. A shield is joined with the top of the back support wall and has a free front end. The shield forms a continuous surface that extends from the back support wall and turns inward over the trough before ending, so that rain, leaves and debris move downward over said shield with the rain entering the trough and the leaves and debris passing beyond the trough. The improvement resides in a reinforcing fold-over edge on the free front end of the shield, wherein the fold-over edge is generally parallel to the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Harry Hansen
  • Patent number: 5319952
    Abstract: A roll forming machine is used for forming material, typically metal strip into various shapes. The machines comprise pairs of forming rolls which are spaced apart along an axis. The profile of the roll pairs progressively change along the axis, so that respective pairs of rolls effect different degrees of folding to material passing between them. As a result, the machine is capable of effecting progressive folding of material fed between the pairs of rolls along this axis. In the present machines, versatility of the machines is improved by using forming rolls each comprising a plurality of roll section elements. The roll section elements are mounted so as to be independently freely revolvable about the axis of the roll and additionally they may be driven so that they are capable of assisting both in folding/forming roll material and in transmitting drive thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Arletti Limited
    Inventor: Stephen H. Cadney
  • Patent number: 5315853
    Abstract: An apparatus to construct studding for use in various construction enviroments includes a portable trailer platform having first and second roller housings, wherein each housing includes at least one pair of rollers to effect deformation of metallic sheet material directed from rolls through each respective housing for deformation of various studding components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventor: Brian L. Scheiterle
  • Patent number: 5090227
    Abstract: A roll forming apparatus comprises a plurality of driving roll stands and a plurality of drivingless roll stands, wherein the drivingless roll forming stand comprises an upper and a lower roll units and side roll units arranged around a central through-hole of a plate member supported by a supporting post. Each of the roll forming stands is adapted for automatically positioning each of the rolls associated therewith to preset positions for bending operation. The plate member is rotatable about the axis of the central hole, and a transverse slide table fixedly mounting the supporting post is transversely movable to the axis. Molding laces for cars are roll formed by bending a strip during travelling through a series of these adjusted roll stands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shin Takeda, Masami Ishii, Mitsuhiro Ozawa, Toshihisa Terazawa
  • Patent number: 5016459
    Abstract: A pair of slit type horizontal fin rolls (18) and a pair of vertical side rolls (19) having such a shape as having the conventional vertical side roll (19) formed by contracting its center portion are utilized, and due to the construction in which one set of each horizontal fin roll (18) and vertical side roll (19) adjustable horizontally, the depressing force is not applied to the material, and since the edge is restrained and shifted widthwise only with the horizontal force of the vertical side rolls (19) rotating freely, threading can be conducted very smoothly irrespective of the sectional shape of the material after break down, and even if the material size is changed, the threading can be conducted very smoothly without adjusting the roll position as strictly as in the past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Nakata Manufacture Company Limited
    Inventor: Ryosuke Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 4942753
    Abstract: In the fabrication of H-piles, I-beams, channels, tees, angles, double-tee structural shapes and similar rolling stock, a first structural shape segment or web is joined to at least one second structural shape segment or flange which may be bent outwardly. After the edging passes, during finishing, the flange or flanges are bent inwardly when the shape or stock is subjected to a final bending pass. A new bending method uses the principle of a three-roll bending process. An alternative bending solution includes a bending process with backup rolls for the first structural shape segment or web which do not touch the inner surfaces of the flanges or second structural shape segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Salzgitter AG
    Inventor: Horst Willeke
  • Patent number: 4878368
    Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet has a front flange, which as a gasket on its door seal thereagainst when the door is closed, formed by a plurality of longitudinally spaced sets of rollers of a roll forming machine so that the front flange is at a specific angular relation to a top wall of the refrigerator cabinet when the roll formed part is fabricated into a portion of the refrigerator cabinet. The angular relationship of the flange and the top wall of the refrigerator cabinet is determined at a first fabrication station of a roll formed part, which forms a portion of the refrigerator cabinet after fabrication, by two linear variable differential transformers engaging each of the two adjacent surfaces of the roll formed part that will constitute the front flange and the top wall of the refrigerator cabinet and transmitting signals indicating the angle therebetween to a personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roy T. Toutant, David S. Perry, Michael A. Brennan, James E. Kreko, Mark A. Dilk
  • Patent number: 4875354
    Abstract: A machine for adjustable longitudinal corrugating of sheet materials, particularly of metal with stepwise folding/bending over free-running rollers and counter-rollers, so that alternating longitudinal convex and concave corrugations are formed. At each profiling step there are upward and downward forming rollers (47) which can be individually adjusted laterally to the direction of corrugation. Separate from the forming rollers there are at least one set of drive rollers (60) and counter-rollers (37) where both the drive rollers and the counter-rollers can be adjusted laterally to the direction of corrugation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Inventors: Trond Nilsen, Erling C. Normann
  • Patent number: 4787231
    Abstract: A roller machine for profile cold bending includes a bearing framework with mounted supports, carrying power driven shape forming calibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Znorc "Metalni Konstruckcit"
    Inventors: Tancho P. Chochev, Todor D. Andonov