Methods and apparatus for forming stiffening structures in a strip material
AssigneeThe Bradbury Company, Inc.
InventorVerne Voth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus of forming stiffening structures in a material are disclosed. In an example method, a first bend line is formed in the material and a portion of the material is drawn toward the first bend line to form an intermediate stiffening structure. A second bend line is then formed adjacent and parallel to the first bend line so that the intermediate stiffening structure is located between the first and second bend lines. A plurality of stiffening structures is then formed in the intermediate stiffening structure without substantially stretching the material.
Claims36
A method of forming stiffening structures in a material, comprising:
- forming a first bend line in a material;
- drawing a portion of the material toward the first bend line to form an intermediate stiffening structure;
- forming a second bend line adjacent to the first bend line so that the intermediate stiffening structure is located between the first and second bend lines;
- and
- forming a plurality of stiffening structures in the intermediate stiffening structure.
A method of forming stiffening structures in a material, comprising:
- forming a first inner bend line in a material;
- gathering a portion of the material toward the first inner bend line to form a first curved raised portion of the material;
- forming a first outer bend line adjacent to the first inner bend line so that the first curved raised portion is located between the first inner bend line and the first outer bend line;
- substantially simultaneously forming a portion of a first stiffening structure in the first curved raised portion and forming a second inner bend line substantially parallel to the first outer bend line;
- substantially simultaneously forming portions of a first plurality of stiffening structures in the first curved raised portion and drawing another portion of the material toward the first inner bend line to form a second curved raised portion of the material;
- substantially simultaneously completing the first stiffening structure and the first plurality of stiffening structures in the first curved raised portion and forming a second outer bend line parallel to the second inner bend line so that the second curved raised portion is located between the second inner bend line and the second outer bend line;
- and
- forming a second plurality of stiffening structures in the second curved raised portion.
A roll-former system configured to form stiffening structures in a material, comprising:
- a plurality of roll assemblies configured to receive a material, wherein each of the roll assemblies has an upper roll and an opposing lower roll configured to engage the material therebetween, wherein a first portion of the roll assemblies is configured to form a first bend line and draw the material toward the first bend line to form an intermediate stiffening structure located between the first and second bend lines, and wherein a second portion of the roll assemblies is configured to form a plurality of stiffening structures in the intermediate stiffening structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.