US1676222A - Process of making sheet-metal frames - Google Patents

Description

' July 3,1928

w. o. SHELDON PROCESS OF MAKING SHEET METAL FRAMES Filed June 23, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fWi 61 fzfi q.

' INVENTOR )1 0 AJTORNEY Patented July 3, 1928.

- UNITED STATES PATENT" oFF1cE.-

WILLIAM O. SHELDON, OF LAKEWOOD,-OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO TEE YODFB GLEVELAND,-OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO. v i

rnocnss or MAKING SHEET-METAL rnmns.

1 Application filed June 23, 1925. Serial No. 89,077.

r This invention relates to'a process of makmg frames for mounting sheet material,

I panels, wire'screens and thelike, whereby ing out of the first step of my process.

the sheet -is ;s'up'ported along its sidas and ends and a unitary structure is provided, thus enabling the shfeet to be handled and supported in various ways. The invention has reference to the process of making frames from sheet metal and the object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple process whereby speed of operation and increasedoutput is obtained, and *the assembly of the sections ofthe frame greatly facilitated. V i J 4 Other objects of the invention will be apparent to' those skilled in'the art to which my invention relates from the following de-.

scription taken in connection with the acd companying drawings, .wherein I have shown one form of shapin and bending elements suitableof performing the steps of my process. L

In these drawings, 3 Y

Fig. 1 is a plan yiew of a section of sheet metal showing its shape following thecarry- Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5,. 6, and 7 areelevational views of suitable shaping elements showing the successive operations or steps in making the frame,

. Fig. a plan view of a frame in assembled position; Inqthis latter figure I segments 1 and-end "segments 1", which segments form the framing for a wire screen or a suitable panel, sheet of material and the like'wliich is to beimounted and supported for handling purposes. Fig. 9 is an end'view of the frame. I Fig. '10is asection on the line 1010 of Figs. 8 and 9. Y I

In carrying out the first step of my process, I take a stripof sheet metal of the desired gauge and cut it into lengths or sections 2 each equalling the aggregate length of the segments 1?, 1, 1 1", which consti' tute .the sides and ends 'of the mountingframe indicated as an entirely at 1 in Fig. I 8; and I also cut in the opposite longitudinaledges of the section 2 aligned V-shaped' notches 2, the apexes of which are aligned with each other and coincide with imaginary longitudinal lines 2*, which are parallel'and spaced apart a distance equal to the width of the end walls 3 of the completed frame 1.

The pairs of V-shaped notches 2 are spaced from each other and from the opposite ends of the section according to. the length of each frame segment, so that when the section is bent on transverse lines 13, cuttingthe apexes of the Y-shapednotches 2',

they will co-operateto form 'the frame 1. i

sponding to the sides of a V shape notch, .so

that when thetwo ends abut they constitute one corner of the frame 1.

Next I pass the section 2 between a pair of rolls 4, one having in its circumference midway between itsside edges. a V groove 4 and the other having a correspondingly arranged complementary V rib 4", which coact to roll a V-shaped wall 5 in the section 2,

from end to endthereof, the apex of the groove being centrally of the lines 2 and the v lateral edges of the V wall 5 being coincident with saidlines. Next, I pass the section 2 between a pair of rolls6 the peripheries of WlllCh correspond in shape-to the peripheries of the rolls 4, but one thereof is provided withflanges 6", which bend upwardly the longitndinal edges of the section 2 between adjoining notches 2' and the outerrnotches and the ends of the section'toform end walls 7. Next, I pass the metal section 2 between a pair of rolls 8 whose peripheries correspond in .shape with the peripheries of the rolls 4 and 6, except that theirwalls S at either slde of the complementary groove'4 and rib 4 are complementary shaped to bend the section 2 on the longitudinal lines 2? to po'sitionthe portions or walls 8 between the l-shaped-wall 5 and end walls? at anglesto each other as shown in Fig. 4. Next, I pass the metal section 2 through a pair, of rolls 9 having a complementary groove 4 and-rib 4", but having complementary walls 9 at either side ofthe groove 4 and rib 4" arranged to bend the section 2 along the lines 2 to decrease the angular relations between the portions 8". as shown in Fig. 5,

andto bring the end walls 7 into closer relationship. Next, I passthe section of metal 2; between a pair of rolls.10 having acom- 'plementary groove 4 and a complementary groove 4 and one of which is provided with peripheral bendin walls 10? which engage the portions 8 of the section 2 to further a bend thein along the lines2 to further decrease the angular relation between them and to move the end walls 7 into still closer relationship for the final operation. Next, I

"annular wall 12 provided on the rib thereof.

ing to the width of each segment of the frame land the other of which is provided with a rib 11 which fits within the groove 11 to section 2, the side walls of the groove 11 serving to bend the portions 8 along the lines 2 into parallel relationship and the periphery of the rib 11 engage the formed engaging with the side walls 7 and through them forcing the section inwardly of the roll 11 to insure final shaping of the walls 8", and simultaneously while shaping the section 2 between the rolls 11, 11, I straighten the walls 3 to make it flat from side edge to side edge'andspace the end walls 7 from .-each other, this step being performed by an 11 and disposed midway between the side edges As shown in Fig. 7, this rib projects inwardly between the end walls 7 in line with the apex of the rib and engages therewith to. roll the walls of the rib 5 outwardly or flat against the bottom wall of the groove 11". The wall 12 is preferably equal in width to the panel or sheet. which is to be supported by and mounted in the frame 1 and accordingly it spaces the end edges of the end walls 7 apart sufficiently to permit the insertion of the panel in the final assembly of the'frame. 0

Finally, I bend the section 2 on the transverse lines 13, which coincide with the apexes of the V. shaped grooves 2, to bend the frame segments at substantially right angles to each other and position the panel between the end walls with its free edges disposed within the segment walls; following which I solder the ends 14 of the section'to each other to complete the frame 1 with the panel mounted within. In positioning the frame segments, the notches 2' permit their side walls to abut :end to end to complete the corners and provide a smooth continuous surface around the frame 1. The sheet or panel is preferably cut to a size to fit within the walls 3.

For illustrative purposes I have shown a frame 1 having segmentseach of which is of substantially rectangular shape in cross section, but it Wlll be obvious that the cross sectional'shape thereof may be changed in various ways. It will also be obvious that either end of the section 2 may be provided with an extension which may overlap the opposite end thereof when the frame is finally completed and assembled to more securely hold the ends together.

Myinvention is advantageous since all the sides of the frame 1 are made from a single ia'waaaa In my rocess I eliminate all waste of material except that resulting from the forming of the notches 2) for two reasons,

walls have overlapping por- (1) none of the tions or extensions'usually required to hold them in bent-up position and relation and (2) the strip may be cut to the exact shape required in forming the complete frame. By using a minimum amount of material, I am. enabled to reduce the weight of the frame. i To those skilled in the art to which my lnvention relates widely differing embodiments of my invention will suggest themselves without any departing from the spirit andscope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and not intended to be in any sense limiting.

While I prefer to pass the sections 2 through several sets or pairs of rolls to bend the side walls 8 into parallel relation, it is obvious that they may be positioned with a.

Vhat I claim is:

1. The herein disclosed processof making frames for panels, sheets and the like, which consists n first forming a sheet metal strip mto sections of predetermined length each section having pairs of V-shaped notches in its side edges spaced from each other-and from the ends of the strip to form the sides and ends of the frame, then in forming longitudinally of the strip midway between 1ts side edges a V-shaped groove, then in forming along its longitudinal ,side edges end walls, then in-bending the side walls between sald groove and said end walls toward each other along the lateral edges of said V-shaped groove, then in straightening the walls of the V-shaped groove to form the outer end walls of the frame and moving the side walls toward each other to position the inner end, walls, thn'in bending the strip on transverse lines coincident with the apexes of the V-shaped notches, and finally associating a panel or. sheet between the inner end walls and connecting the ends of the strip together:

2. The herein disclosed process of making frames for panels, sheets and the like, which conslsts in first forming a sheet metal strip sectionhavingpairs of V-shaped notches in ts side edges spaced from each' other and from the ends of the strip to form the sides and ends of the frame, then in forming into sections of predetermined length each longitudinally of the strip midway between its side edges a V-shaped groove, then in forming along its longitudinal side edges end walls, then in bending the side walls between said groove and said end walls toward each other along the lateral edges of said V-shaped groove, and then in straightening the walls of the V-shaped oove to form the outer end walls of the rame and moving the side walls toward each other to position the inner end walls, and finallyjn bending the strip on transverse lines coincident with the apexes of the V-shaped notches.

3. The herein disclosed process of making frames for anels, sheets and the like, which consists in first forming a sheet metal strip into sections of predetermined length eachsection having pairs of V-shaped notches in its side edges spaced from each other and from the ends of the strip to form the sides and ends of the frame, then in forming longitudinally of the strip midway between its side edges a \l-shaped groove, then in forming along its lon itudinal side edges end walls, then in bending the side walls between said groove and said end walls toward each other along the lateral edges of said V-shaped groove, then in straightening the walls of the V-shaped groove to form the outer end walls of the frame and moving the side walls toward each other to position thdie vinner end walls and spacing. the free e ges finall bending the strip on transverse lines coincident to the apexes of the V-shaped notches to position the sides and ends of the frame at angles to eachother.

In testimony. whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM o. snnnnou.

of the end walls from eachother, and

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