Including Plural, Successively-acting Roller-couples Patents (Class 72/181)
  • Publication number: 20100180654
    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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: SMORGON STEEL LITESTEEL PRODUCTS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Ross John Bartlett, Alexander Noller
  • Patent number: 7757529
    Abstract: A method of roll forming a flat tube having a substantially ?-shaped section comprising the steps of forming a substantially triangular protrusion 72 having a roundish top, and closely attaching the opposed base end portions of the substantially triangular protrusion 72 having a roundish top while leaving a hollow portion 73a at the forward end of the protrusion 72, thereby forming a protrusion 73 having a closely-attached based end portion and forward-end hollow portion 73a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihiro Taniyama
  • Publication number: 20100139350
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling flare in roll-forming processes are disclosed. An example method involves predefining a plurality of position values to adjust a tilt angle of a flange roller and adjusting the tilt angle of the flange roller based on one of the pre-defined position values to change an amount of flare in a zone of a component. The one of the pre-defined position values is associated with the zone of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory S. Smith, Jason E. Green
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7677071
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for roll forming metal components including substantially channel-shaped members for use in a building structure. The apparatus includes a support frame assembly having front and rear portions. A mechanism is provided for selectively feeding at least one metal strip into the support frame assembly, the metal strip having a pair of side edges and a center web. A plurality of driver roll elements are mounted along the support frame assembly and are adapted to move the metal strip through the frame assembly. Finally, a plurality of spaced idler forming rolls are mounted for free rotation in pairs along the support frame assembly. The idler forming rolls are adapted to simultaneously air form the side edges of the metal strip into angularly extending side flanges by urging the side edges in opposing directions from the center web as the metal strip is moved along the frame assembly by the driver roll elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: BH Legacy, LLC
    Inventor: William C. Heirich
  • Publication number: 20100011829
    Abstract: A roll-forming machine for forming smooth curves in profiled panel sections. The roll forming machine has opposed pinch pass rollers having a roller profile generally corresponding to said profiled panel and a pair of cantilever rollers downstream of said pinch pass rollers. The cantilever rollers have axes of rotation that are offset relative to one another in the direction of travel of the profiled panel through the machine and having a roller profile also generally corresponding to the profiled panel. At least one sweep roller is positioned downstream of the cantilever rollers for bending said panel in a longitudinal direction as said panel passes past said sweep roller. The sweep roller also has a roller profile generally corresponding to the profiled panel. The at least one sweep roller can be positioned to the degree of bend of the smooth curve formed in said profiled panel by the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Metform International Ltd.
    Inventors: Minh Truong, Jacek Opielka, Vinod Kumar
  • Publication number: 20090320545
    Abstract: The gutter guard forming machine accepts relatively narrow, elongate sheets of imperforate materials and foraminous screen materials from a series of supply rollers and passes those sheets of material through a series of forming rollers and dies to crimp the sheets mechanically together along their common elongate edges to form the desired cross-sectional shape for the finished gutter guard. The raw sheet materials are fed into the machine in two overlying and two underlying streams, which are joined together and shaped by the forming rollers and dies. The process is continuous, with an automated cutoff saw cutting the completed gutter guard to practical lengths after formation. The mechanism is primarily electrically-powered, with a pneumatic-hydraulic cylinder being used for one of the operations. Various components are adjustable to allow the configuration of the completed gutter guard to be adjusted as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Evelyn M. Robins
  • Patent number: 7591162
    Abstract: A roll forming machine for forming a rain gutter wherein an internal guide assembly uses rollers to contact the finished surface of the partially formed gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Englert, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7591161
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling flare in roll-forming processes are disclosed. An example system includes a component position detector configured to detect a component. The example system also includes a comparator configured to compare a flare tolerance value and a flare measurement value of the component and a storage interface configured to retrieve a roller position value from a memory based on the comparison. In addition, the example system includes a flange roller adjuster communicatively coupled to the storage interface and the component position detector and configured to obtain the roller position value from the storage interface and change a position of a roller based on the roller position value to condition the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: The Bradbury Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason E. Green, Gregory S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090151414
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a hem profile in roll-forming processes are described. An example roll-forming apparatus includes a first plurality of work rolls to form a first hem on a material and a second plurality of work rolls. One of the second plurality of work rolls is adjustable relative to an opposing work roll and to the first plurality of work rolls to adjustably control a profile of the first hem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Verne D. Voth, Gregory S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090133460
    Abstract: A profile formed of a strip-shaped rolling stock and including at least one thickness-reduced section (16) having a thickness (D) that is smaller than the initial material thickness (W) of the rolling stock, at least one bend (17; 18), and at least one thickened region (21, 22) provided in a region of the at least one bend (17, 18) and having a material thickness (H) greater than the initial material thickness (W) of the rolling stock the profile (11) is formed of.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Fritz Hermann, Juergen Gebhard, Thomas Merhar, Christoph Wiedner, Frank Jackel, Frank Bertram, Erwin Karle
  • 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: 20090114703
    Abstract: A method for producing a longitudinally welded hollow profile from a sheet metal blank having defined longitudinal edges, in which the sheet metal blank is initially preformed into an open seam profile with the aid of at least two tool parts allows for the economical production of accurately formed hollow profiles. This is achieved in that to produce the open seam profile, the sheet metal blank, by a change in the relative position of the tools parts, is placed freely around a mandrel positioned between the tool parts and extending in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal blank, the outer shape of which mandrel determines the inner shape of the hollow profile to be produced, and in that the shaping of the open seam profile obtained is then completed in one or more stages in each case by a further change of the relative position of the tool parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
    Inventors: Michael Bruggenbrock, Thomas Flehmig, Wladimir Rituper, Mohamed Tohfa
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20080289390
    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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: SMORGON STEEL LITESTEEL PRODUCTS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Ross John Bartlett, Alexander Noller
  • Patent number: 7448246
    Abstract: Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. A roll former bends a strip of material to form a spacer frame having side walls to which an adhesive is applied during fabrication of an insulated glass unit. Alternately a plastic frame is formed by extrusion. A notching apparatus forms notches at locations that extend into the side walls to weaken the side walls for bending of said elongated channel into a closed structure. A downstream workstation predisposes specified locations of the sidewalls to facilitate bending of the spacer frame. The workstation forces the specified locations of the sidewalls inwardly toward each other at the predetermined bend locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: GED Integrated Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Briese, Robert S. Galosi, John Grismer
  • Patent number: 7430806
    Abstract: A vehicle box assembly wherein a bed floor and the inner right and left side wall panels are defined by and assembled from two monolithic one-piece integrated side/floor panel members. The two panel members are preferably formed by roll forming a thin metal sheet so that only a single roll-formed panel configuration is required. Subsequent forming operations, such as punching or die forming, are carried out on the roll-formed configuration to create right and left panel members which are assembled to define the floor and opposed inner side panels of the box assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Noble Advanced Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank G. McNulty, D. James Zimmerman, Edward J. Engler
  • Publication number: 20080216541
    Abstract: A roll-forming machine for manufacturing purlins from strip material comprises a setup changeover mechanism for converting between a setup that produces purlins having a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration and a setup that produces purlins having a Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The changeover mechanism includes an inboard linear actuator connected by an inboard linkage to a plurality of turrets associated with inboard sides of respective roll-forming stations, and an outboard linear actuator connected by an outboard linkage to a plurality of turrets associated with outboard sides of respective roll-forming stations, whereby the turrets are pivotally indexed by operation of the linear actuators to change position of forming rollers carried by the turrets. At least one of the linear actuators is connected to turrets both upstream and downstream from the linear actuator in a feed direction of the roll-forming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Calin N FUDULU, Jozsef Gaspar
  • Publication number: 20080115550
    Abstract: A flange-forming apparatus allows a user to automatically adjust the device's roll forming stations, concurrently together, for changing the height of a flange formed into a metal web by the roll forming stations, e.g., for ductwork. The height is adjustable within an infinite range between set maximum and minimum limits. Each roll forming station includes upper and lower roll forming pairs, which cooperate for forming the flange or portion thereof. Each roll forming pair includes a first roll forming portion, and a second, coaxial roll forming portion that is axially moveable towards and away from the first roll forming portion. (The portions are in effect a laterally split roll forming die.) The second roll forming portions are rotatably supported on a plate-like adjustment linkage assembly, which can be shifted, using an array of motor driven screw members, towards or away from the first roll forming portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: FORMTEK, INC.
    Inventor: DAVID WALLE
  • Patent number: 7340931
    Abstract: A punching machine installed in the machine base of a roller shape forming machine in a metal working system and controlled to punch holes on a metal sheet material being delivered through the roller shape forming machine during operation of the roller shape forming machine. The punching action, i.e., the cycling of the closing and opening actions of the punch mold of the punching machine is set to match with the delivering speed of the metal sheet material in the roller shape forming machine so that the punching operation of the punching machine is continued during processing operation of the roller shape forming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Sen-Jung Chuang
  • Publication number: 20070240473
    Abstract: A method of roll forming a flat tube having a substantially ?-shaped section comprising the steps of forming a substantially triangular protrusion 72 having a roundish top, and closely attaching the opposed base end portions of the substantially triangular protrusion 72 having a roundish top while leaving a hollow portion 73a at the forward end of the protrusion 72, thereby forming a protrusion 73 having a closely-attached based end portion and forward-end hollow portion 73a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshihiro Taniyama
  • Patent number: 7243518
    Abstract: A hydraulic cut-off press includes a base, a body vertically movable along vertical tracks at the base, a plurality of raisers provided at the body in four corners, each raiser having a holder base, a raiser screw vertically mounted in the holder base and fixedly connected to the base, a transmission gear set mounted inside the holder base and meshed with the raiser screw, and an axle extended out of the holder base, a transmission system formed of transmission shafts and couplings for coupling the axles of the raisers to one another for synchronous rotation, and a motor for rotating the axle of the first raiser to move the raiser screws of the raisers to move the body to the desired elevation relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Sen-Jung Chuang
  • Patent number: 7243519
    Abstract: Disclosed is a roll-forming machine formed of a machine base and pairs of forming roll sets for the formation of a C-shaped component or a Z-shaped component from a sheet material, the two forming roll sets of each pair being symmetrically disposed at left and right sides on the machine base such that a gap is defined between the two impression wheels and two sheet-transfer wheels of each pair of forming roll sets for easy performance of maintenance work. The shaft-forming wheels of the forming roll sets of the 1st and 4th pairs are mounted with a respective locating block for easy rotation through 180° between two positions and selectively locking in one of the two positions by a respective locating rod to set the roll-forming machine for processing C-shaped component or Z-shaped component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Sen-Jung Chuang
  • Patent number: 7231796
    Abstract: A roll-forming machine formed of a machine base, a plurality of sheet-transfer roll sets, and a plurality of forming roll sets and adapted for the formation of a C-shaped component or a Z-shaped component from a sheet material is disclosed to have an adjustment structure for adjusting the horizontal pitch between the left-side forming rolls and the right-side forming rolls, the vertical pitch between the first left-side forming toll and the second left-side and the vertical pitch between the first right-side forming roll and the second right-side forming roll, and the pitch between the impression roll and sheet-transfer roll of each sheet-transfer roll set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Sen-Jung Chuang
  • Patent number: 7207201
    Abstract: Disclosed is an U/Z-shaped steel bar manufacturing process, which includes the steps of (a) supplying a steel sheet material from a material rack to a flattening machine, (b) operating the flattening machine to flatten the steel sheet material and then delivering the steel sheet material to a punch press for punching, (c) operating the punch press to selectively drive the punch dies to punch the steel sheet material with punch holes subject to a predetermined punch pattern, (d) delivering the punched steel sheet material to a roll forming machine and then operating the roll forming machine to ram the punched steel sheet material into an U/Z-shaped steel bar, (e) operating a straightening machine to straighten the U/Z-shaped steel bar, and (f) operating a conveyer to carry the finished product backwards for packing and further delivery or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Sen-Jung Chuang
  • Patent number: 7188502
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for changing sets of top rolls, lateral rolls, and a bottom roll, and mounted in chocks of a welding stand of a continuously operating longitudinal tube welding machine. The inventive method enables the rolls to be changed faster, using less appliances. Said method comprises the following steps: the top rolls are lifted; a dismantling/transport means is placed beneath the top rolls; the top rolls are lowered onto the dismantling/transport means and deposited on the same; and, once the top rolls have been removed, the dismantling/transport means is laterally withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: SMS Meer GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Heimann
  • Patent number: 7189195
    Abstract: A corrugated sheet forming unit used in a corrugated sheet material making machine for processing a metal sheet material into a corrugated sheet is disclosed to include a table vertically movable to fit the elevation of the conveyer and receiving unit of the machine and to carry first shape forming roller sets or second shape forming roller sets into the working position for processing the supplied sheet material into a corrugated sheet of a first pattern or a corrugated sheet of a second pattern selectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventor: Sen-Jung Chuang
  • Patent number: 7115089
    Abstract: A machine and method for the continuous folding of sheet material into different three-dimensional patterns is featured. The innovative machine and method folds sheet material by force converging the sheet to a final stage that imparts a final fold or pattern. Unique programming allows for the change of convergence sequencing and change of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: Basily B. Basily, Elsayed A. Elsayed, Daniel Kling
  • Patent number: 7111481
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling flare in roll-forming processes are disclosed. An example method of controlling flare involes moving a material through a roll-forming process and measuring the material to obtain a flare characteristic associated with a zone of the material. A position of a roller is then automatically varied to change the flare characteristic associated with a zone of the material as the material moves through the roll-forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: The Bradbury Company
    Inventors: Jason E. Green, Gregory S. Smith
  • Patent number: 7107807
    Abstract: A roll-forming machine includes in line a device (11) for unwinding metal strip (10) from a strip reel (12), a strip cutter (18), and a roll-forming section (30; 90). The roll-forming section includes a row of forming stations that include forming rolls that are carried by shafts which are supported on a respective one side of the sheet section. Each row of forming stations includes an edge cutter (58, 59; 102, 103) and a first forming station mounted on a common movable carrier (31, 32; 100, 101), for collective movement. The angle of the carrier relative to the longitudinal axis of the forming section can be adjusted and the carrier can be moved in a parallel manner transversely to said longitudinal axis so as to enable said movement and said angular adjustment of these forming stations to be achieved simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Ortic AB
    Inventors: Lars Ingvarsson, Lars Rudman
  • Patent number: 7096702
    Abstract: A multi-axial roll-forming apparatus that is configured to be quickly and efficiently modifiable so as to allow the formation of a variety of differently shaped component pieces from a variety of different shaped pieces of material. A variously adjustable roll-forming device is held in a variety of vertical and horizontal orientations within a variously adjustable frame. The variously adjustable frame allows for various adjustments so as to provide an aperture consistent with the dimensions of the material being processed or the pieces which are to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: U.S. Rollformers
    Inventor: Daniel J. McDonald
  • Patent number: 7024904
    Abstract: A contour roll former capable of operating with different sets of pairs of roll forming heads depending on the type of extruded profile to be produced. The contour roll former includes pairs of heads mounted on carriages capable of sliding horizontally back and forth along a direction transverse to the forming line, so that it is possible to replace one set with another with minimum handling, requiring only horizontal movement of the carriages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Usinor
    Inventor: Philippe Maurice Jean Camille Dupas
  • Patent number: 7004001
    Abstract: A roll forming apparatus includes at least one convertible roller assembly. The convertible roller assembly includes a support plate rotatably mounted on a shaft. The support plate includes at least one roller. The support plate may be toggled by an actuator from a first position for forming C shaped members to a second position for forming Z shaped members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Formcek Cleveland, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6997026
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively forming metal stud and track members from sheet material, the apparatus including a stud forming assembly capable of transforming the sheet material into a stud member as the material exits the stud forming assembly, and a track forming assembly capable of receiving the stud member as it exists the stud forming assembly and thereafter transforming the stud member into a track member. The track forming assembly is selectively moveable between an operative position wherein the track forming assembly is coupled to the stud forming assembly to receive the stud member as it exits the stud forming assembly, and an inoperative position wherein the track forming assembly is positioned such that it cannot receive the stud member as it exits the stud forming assembly. The apparatus may also include punch and shear mechanisms for performing various operations on the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Engel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert J. Fischer
  • Patent number: 6981397
    Abstract: A roll forming machine wherein a single operator can quickly replace roll forming stations to change the desired lateral profile and wherein adjustments to the lateral positions of the roll forming stations can be quickly effected. This is accomplished by mounting the roll forming elements on short tooling rail sections which in turn are mounted on longer mounting rails which are used as platforms whereby all the adjustments are preset so that all setup work is performed prior to installing the tooling rails. Because the tooling rail sections are shorter, they may be inserted in, and removed from, the machine by a single operator without requiring the partial disassembly, and subsequent reassembly, of the entry and shear assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Englert, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6948349
    Abstract: A roll forming machine for a debris shedding rain gutter having a lower trough and an upper hood, wherein independent adjustments are made to the front wall of the trough to insure that its upper edge is behind the forward end of the trough. An independently adjustable kick forming station is provided to create an inward bend near the upper end of the front wall. A block is adjustably mounted to a cross-member of the machine to press the front wall inwardly to insure that the angle where the front wall joins the bottom wall of the trough is approximately ninety degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Englert, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Gorski, Bruce E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6931903
    Abstract: Apparatus for roll forming shaped members from sheet material has a primary powered section that roll forms along a primary pass line and a secondary powered section. The secondary powered section is coupled to and powered by the primary powered section, and roll forms along a secondary pass line that is separate from the primary pass line. The secondary powered section is coupled to the primary powered section by a transmission that allows adjustment of the secondary pass line in translation in two directions and in rotation in two directions. The method of roll forming includes forming shaped members in sections with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventors: Gary A. Knudson, Patrick D. Flood
  • Patent number: 6915674
    Abstract: A hinged saw table having a sliding carrier for mounting and sliding a portable table saw. The hinged saw table is mounted adjacent to a forming machine that forms stock that is cut with the portable table saw. Elongate stock exits from an exit aperture in the forming machine, and is directed over the table of the portable table saw mounted upon the movable carrier. The portable table saw may be positioned at the correct point for cutting the stock at a desired length. Square or mitered cuts may be made. For storage purposes, the sliding carrier and table saw may be rotated upward approximately 180 degrees over the top of the forming machine where the carrier and saw rest upside down on a stand. The forming machine may be, for example, a seamless gutter rollformer machine that forms sections of rain gutters for houses or other buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Melvin L. McKee
  • Patent number: 6904780
    Abstract: A siding system includes panels having a facing element with a convex front face portion. A first connecting portion extending along an upper edge and a second connecting portion at a lower edge is adapted to engage the first connecting portion of an adjacent lower siding panel. Mounting holes at a top edge of the facing element provide for mounting the siding panel to a vertical surface. A support element, such as foam insulation attaches to a rear surface of the facing element. A machine for making the metal siding panels has a feeder and multiple roller sets. First ones of the rollers have a concave portion and complementary second ones of the rollers have a convex portion. The concave portion first roller set has a larger radius profile than the last roller set to roll form the siding from a coil of blank material. Bending rollers form the mounting structure of the panels. Embossing rollers forming an embossed pattern on the face of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: United States Seamless
    Inventors: Michael J. Bullinger, Russell L. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6880294
    Abstract: Methods are provided for installation of a rain diversion system including formation of a deflector with a machine placed above a forming machine dedicated to formation of a trough. As trough is run from a first machine, end caps are installed where appropriate, outlet sites are punched and outlets installed for joinder with downspouts, miters are cut and a cavity structure of the hanger is brought into place to mate a containment lip of the hanger with the containment shelf of the trough. Corresponding deflector is run from a second machine and the deflector is placed on the trough as deflector attachment cavities of the hanger are used to retain deflector. In alternative methods, one cavity retains the deflector 40 for conveyance to the installation location on the structure. In either case, the entire assembly may then be transported to a location on a lower level such as ground, for example, corresponding to the eventual installation location on the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Senox Corporation
    Inventor: A. B. Walters
  • Publication number: 20040244454
    Abstract: A multi-axial roll-forming apparatus that is configured to be quickly and efficiently modifiable so as to allow the formation of a variety of differently shaped component pieces from a variety of different shaped pieces of material. A variously adjustable roll-forming device is held in a variety of vertical and horizontal orientations within a variously adjustable frame. The variously adjustable frame allows for various adjustments so as to provide an aperture consistent with the dimensions of the material being processed or the pieces which are to be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: U.S. Rollformers
    Inventor: Daniel J. McDonald
  • Patent number: 6813919
    Abstract: This invention relates to metal framing (2, 3, 4), in particular steel framing for building construction. The invention also relates to a method of constructing a metal frame assembly (2, 3, 4) and roll forming apparatus (41) for producing metal framing for building construction. The individual components of the metal frame (2, 3, 4), and assembly made from these components is adapted to provide for a substantially even planar surface without deformations, to which a cladding may be attached with a preferred even finish. The invention also includes roll forming apparatus (41) adapted for producing metal framing (2, 3, 4) of this type, and particularly adapted to produce metal frame members (2, 3, 4) having a predominantly C-section profile (7), with one or more portions of a U-section profile (9, 6), the U-section (9, 6) and C-section (7) profiles formed simultaneously on the same sheet metal strip (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: IBS Group Limited
    Inventor: Philip George Ellis
  • Publication number: 20040168499
    Abstract: The invention concerns a contour roll former capable of operating with different sets of pairs forming heads (P1i, P2i) depending on the type of extruded profile to be produced. Said contour roll former is characterized in that said pairs of heads (P1i, P2i) are mounted on carriages (Ci capable of sliding both ways along a direction (T) transverse to the forming line, so that it is possible to replace one set with another with minimum handling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Philippe Maurice Jean Camille Dupas
  • Publication number: 20040163437
    Abstract: A roll forming apparatus includes at least one convertible roller assembly. The convertible roller assembly includes a support plate rotatably mounted on a shaft. The support plate includes at least one roller. The support plate may be toggled by an actuator from a first position for forming C shaped members to a second position for forming Z shaped members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6772616
    Abstract: A forming machine receives an elongated sheet of formable material to form a desired profile has a rigid framework supporting a sheet drive that includes a plurality of pairs of co-acting rollers to advance the sheet through the framework from an upstream entrance to a downstream exit. A drive assembly interconnects at least one roller in each of the pairs to rotatably drive the roller and advance the sheet in the downstream direction. Each of a plurality of carriage rails extends transversely along the framework and has first and second carriage mounts slideably disposed thereon. First and second tool rails are secured, respectively, to each of the first and second carriage mounts permitting the tooling rails to move laterally within the framework. Each tooling rail supports a plurality of forming elements defining at least two forming stations to bend the sheet as desired while it advances through the framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: New Tech Machinery
    Inventors: David H. Cunningham, Bruce E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6766676
    Abstract: A roll forming machine of the type which forms an indeterminate length panel of a desired lateral profile from a uniform width supply strip of sheet metal having a pair of parallel straight edges, wherein the machine defines a predetermined path of travel for the supply strip. The machine includes an arrangement for selectively changing the profile along an edge of the panel. The arrangement includes a mounting plate member mounted to a side of the machine and a module including first and second roll forming stations. The module is adapted for mounting to the mounting plate member with a selected one of the first and second roll forming stations along the predetermined path of travel. Structure is provided for allowing the securement of the module to the mounting plate member to be loosened, whereby the mounting plate member is movable between first and second predetermined positions wherein a selected one of the first and second roll forming stations is along the predetermined path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Englert, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Gorski
  • Publication number: 20040112103
    Abstract: A roll forming machine of the type which forms an indeterminate length panel of a desired lateral profile from a uniform width supply strip of sheet metal having a pair of parallel straight edges, wherein the machine defines a predetermined path of travel for the supply strip. The machine includes an arrangement for selectively changing the profile along an edge of the panel. The arrangement includes a mounting plate member mounted to a side of the machine and a module including first and second roll forming stations. The module is adapted for mounting to the mounting plate member with a selected one of the first and second roll forming stations along the predetermined path of travel. Structure is provided for allowing the securement of the module to the mounting plate member to be loosened, whereby the mounting plate member is movable between first and second predetermined positions wherein a selected one of the first and second roll forming stations is along the predetermined path of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Englert, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Gorski
  • Patent number: 6708384
    Abstract: An apparatus for making notched muntin bars. The apparatus includes an uncoiler or support for a supply of ribbon stock, a notching device, a roll forming machine and a severing device. The ribbon stock has a surface with first and second finishes. The notching device receives ribbon stock from the supply of ribbon stock. The notching device includes a punch that is moveable from a first position to a second position. In the first position the punch is activated to remove sections of material having the first finish. In the second position the punch is activated to remove sections of material having the second finish. The roll forming machine receives the ribbon stock from the notching device to form hollow muntin bar stock that has a first side with the first finish and a second side with the second finish. The formed muntin bar stock has notches in the first side having the first finish and notches in the second side having the second finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy
  • Patent number: 6705143
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing loading plane border frame tubes for chairs utilizes continuous roll-forming processes to roll a base material to form loading plane border frame tubes for use on chairs. The processes include: transport a steel sheet to a roller leveler for flattening; then roll the steel sheet through a first roller calender, a second roller calender, a third roller calender, and a fourth roller calender to form a semi-finished tube; send the semi-finished tube to a high frequency generator for welding and soldering at high temperature; trim the semi-finished tube in a trimming machine; and roll the semi-finished tube through a fifth roller calender to form a finished tube of a selected shape for making border frames of loading planes of the chairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Lausan Chung-Hsin Liu
  • Publication number: 20040040357
    Abstract: A roll-forming machine includes in line a device (11) for unwinding metal strip (10) from a strip reel (12), a strip cutter (18), and a roll-forming section (30; 90). The roll-forming section includes a row of forming stations that include forming rolls that are carried by shafts which are supported on a respective one side of the sheet section. Each row of forming stations includes an edge cutter (58, 59; 102, 103) and a first forming station mounted on a common movable carrier (31, 32; 100, 101), for collective movement. The angle of the carrier relative to the longitudinal axis of the forming section can be adjusted and the carrier can be moved in a parallel manner transversely to said longitudinal axis so as to enable said movement and said angular adjustment of these forming stations to be achieved simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Lars Ingvarsson, Lars Rudman