Die hemming assembly and method
OwnerWilliam Patrickinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hemming assembly and method for joining the edges of a pair of panels together includes a main die supporting edges of the two panels, a pre-hem slide supporting a pre-hem tool, a final die holder supporting a final die, and at least one drive to move the tool and die for pre-hemming and final hemming, respectively. A mechanism guides the pre-hem slide first vertically for at least partial pre-hemming, and then at an angle to expose the pre-hemmed edges for final hemming. Vertical travel of the pre-hem tool against the edges produces a superior and less distorted joint, and pre-hemming and final hemming can be performed in one overall stroke. A number of assemblies can be arranged to pre-hem and final hem a number of edges.
Claims20
A die hemming apparatus assembly for hemming an upstanding edge of a first panel to an edge of a second panel to form a joint comprising:
- a) a main die supporting the first and second panels;
- b) a pre-hem slide supporting a pre-hem tool having an angled tool surface;
- c) a final hem die holder supporting a final hem tool;
- d) a guide mechanism in engagement with the pre-hem slide to direct the pre-hem slide along a first path generally vertical to the upstanding edge and along a second path angled with respect to vertical;
- and
- e) at least one drive to direct the pre-hem slide along the first and second paths and to direct the final hem die holder along a generally vertical path.
In a hemming apparatus adapted to join an upstanding edge of a first panel to an edge of a second panel and employing a vertically driven final die holder, the improvement comprising a pre-hemming tool holder supporting a pre-hem tool and a mechanism to first guide the pre-hemming tool holder along a generally vertical travel path for at least a partial pre-hemming of the edges, and then to guide the pre-hemming tool along a path angled with respect to the generally vertical path to expose the pre-hemmed edges for one of final hemming or completion of pre-hemming and final hemming.
A method of hemming an upstanding edge of a first panel to an edge of a second panel to form a joint comprising:
- a) driving a pre-hem tool having an angled tool surface along a vertical path and towards the upstanding edge of the first panel to bend the upstanding edge towards an upper face of the second panel to form at least a partially pre-hemmed edge;
- b) angling the pre-hem tool away from the at least partially pre-hemmed edge to either expose a surface of a fully pre-hemmed edge or complete pre-hemming and further expose a surface of a fully pre-hemmed edge;
- and
- c) driving a final hem tool vertically against the exposed surface of the pre-hemmed edge to hem the edges of the first and second panels together.
In a method of pre-hemming and final hemming an upstanding edge of a first panel to an edge of a second panel, the improvement comprising at least partially pre-hemming the edges together by first directing a pre-hemming tool generally vertically against the upstanding edge, and then angling the pre-hemming tool away from the edges to complete pre-hemming and expose the pre-hemmed edges for final hemming.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.