Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Assembling or joining
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-06
2001-07-24
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Assembling or joining
C029S513000, C029S809000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263557
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus and methods for inserting an angle plate in channel shaped flanges of a duct.
A typical sheet metal duct section of the type used in heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems (HVAC systems) is usually square or rectangular in cross-sectional shape. Such a duct section usually has channel-shaped flanges extending outwardly from its end edges for end-to-end attachment to another duct section. Corner (or angle) plates having first and second legs are inserted into adjacent flanges in a manner so that the first leg is in one flange and the second leg is in the other flange. The flanges are then crimped to secure the angle plates in the flanges. Each angle plate has at least one aperture therethrough. When duct sections are positioned end-to-end, then the angle plate apertures of one duct section align with the angle plate apertures of the other duct section. The aligned apertures are configured for receiving threaded fasteners (e.g., bolts and nuts) to clamp the duct sections together.
Insertion of the angle plates into the flanges is typically performed manually. A technician places the angle plate on the flanges, forces the angle plates into the channel shaped flanges with a hammer or other suitable tool, and then manually crimps the flanges. The primary problems associated with such manual insertion is that this operation is labor intensive and time consuming.
Machines have been used to automatically remove an angle plate from a stack of angle plates and insert it into duct flanges. A problem associated with such machines is that only special types of angle plates can be used with such machines. Conventional angle plates come in a wide variety of shapes and configurations, and most of these angle plates are configured to nest with identical angle plates. The only angle plates which can be used with the prior machines must be shaped so that they do not nest with other angle plates in the stack of angle plates. If the angle plates nest in the stack, the machines are incapable of removing the plates from the stack. Thus, most types of angle plates cannot be used with the machines.
Another problem associated with such machines is that different drive mechanisms are needed to perform the various operations of the machines. For example, a machine might need one drive mechanism for positioning the duct on the machine, another drive mechanism for aligning the angle plate with the flanges, another drive mechanism for pressing the angle plate into the flanges, and another drive mechanism for crimping the flanges. These multiple drive mechanisms complicate the operation of a machine and increase the likelihood of machine failure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of improved apparatus and method for inserting angle plates in channel shaped flanges of a duct; the provision of such apparatus and method which minimizes the time and cost necessary to insert angle plates in channel-shaped flanges of ducts; the provision of such apparatus and method for removing an angle plate from a nested stack of angle plates and moving it into alignment with duct flanges; the provision of such apparatus which is capable of using a wide variety of angle plates; the provision of such an apparatus which employs a single actuator to operate a plurality of mechanisms; the provision of such apparatus which maximizes safety and convenience of operation; and the provision of such apparatus which is of relatively simple construction.
Generally, apparatus of the present invention is configured for removing a first angle plate from a stack of angle plates and inserting the first angle plate in channel shaped flanges of a duct. The first angle plate is the bottom-most angle plate of the stack before it is removed from the stack. The stack includes a second angle plate which is the next to bottommost angle plate of the stack before the first angle plate is removed from the stack. The apparatus comprises a duct holding mechanism configured for holding the duct in a fixed position, a separating mechanism, and a plate advancing mechanism. The separating mechanism has at least one support member engageable with the second angle plate in a manner for supporting the second angle plate. The separating mechanism is configured and operable for vertically separating the first and second angle plates from one another. The plate advancing mechanism has a plate engageable member moveable between first and second positions and engageable with the first angle plate after vertical separation of the first and second angle plates for advancing the first angle plate into registration with the flanges of the duct.
In another aspect of the present invention, apparatus for placing an angle plate in channel shaped flanges of a duct comprises a duct holding mechanism, an angle plate advancing mechanism, a press, and a crimper portion. The duct holding mechanism is configured for holding the duct in a fixed position. The angle plate advancing mechanism includes a platen and a plate engageable member. The platen is configured for being adjacent the duct when the duct is held by the duct holding mechanism and configured for slidably supporting an angle plate placed thereon. The plate engageable member is engageable with the angle plate and moveable relative to the platen between first and second positions for sliding the angle plate on the platen and into registration with the flanges of the duct. The platen is moveable relative to the duct holding mechanism between first and second positions. The press has a press member moveable between first and second press positions for releasably pressing the angle plate against the flanges. The crimper portion is engageable with at least one of the flanges of the duct and is fixedly secured to the platen. The crimper portion is configured to crimp the flange(s) upon movement of the platen from its first position to its second position when the duct is held by the duct holding mechanism.
In another aspect of the present invention, apparatus for placing an angle plate in channel shaped flanges of a duct comprises a duct holding mechanism, an angle plate advancing mechanism, a press, and an actuator. The duct holding mechanism is configured for holding the duct in a fixed position. The angle plate advancing mechanism includes a plate engageable member. The plate engageable member is engageable with an angle plate and is moveable relative to the duct holding mechanism between first and second positions for sliding the angle plate into registration with the flanges of the duct. The pres has a press member moveable between first and second press positions. The press member is remote from the flanges when the press member is in its first press position and the duct is held by the duct holding mechanism. The press member is adjacent the flanges when the press member is in its second press position and the duct is held by the duct holding mechanism. The press member is configured to press the angle plate against the flanges upon movement of the press member from its first press position to its second press position when the angle plate is in registration with the flanges of the duct. The plate engageable member is operatively connected to the actuator in a manner so that movement of the actuator effectuates movement of the plate engageable member between its first and second positions. The press member is operatively connected to the actuator in a manner so that movement of the actuator effectuates movement of the press member between its first and second press positions.
In still another aspect of the present invention is a method of removing a first angle plate from a stack of angle plates and inserting the first angle plate in channel shaped flanges of a duct. The first angle plate is the bottom-most angle plate of the stack before it is removed from the stack. The stack includes a second angle plate which is the next to bottommost angle plate of the stack before the firs
Fischer Herbert J.
Karpman Aleksandr
Satterfield Michael E.
Engel Industries, Inc.
Howell & Haferkamp LC
Hughes S. Thomas
Omgba Essama
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for inserting angle plates in channel... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for inserting angle plates in channel..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for inserting angle plates in channel... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2517113