Apparatus and method for curving metal panels

A method for imparting a desired curvature to a metal panel, the metal panel having a predetermined thickness and a substantially flat section (S), a first leg (M) extending generally perpendicular from a first edge of the flat section and a second leg (F) extending generally perpendicular from the other, second edge of the flat section, the first and second legs extending generally in the same direction, the first leg comprising a first horizontal member (UH) and a first lip member (UL), the first horizontal member extending generally perpendicular from the first edge, the first lip member (UL) extending generally perpendicular from the first horizontal member and extending generally parallel to the flat section, wherein the flat section, the first horizontal member and the first lip member form a first pocket (UP), the second leg comprising a second horizontal member (LH), a vertical member (V), and a second lip member (LL), the second horizontal member extending generally perpendicular from the second edge and generally parallel to the first horizontal member, the vertical member extending generally perpendicular from the second horizontal member and extending generally away from the first leg, the second lip member extending generally perpendicular from the vertical member and extending generally parallel to the second horizontal member and back toward the plane of the flat section, wherein the second horizontal member, the vertical member, and the second lip member form a second pocket (LP), the method comprising:

• compressing and elongating the first horizontal member (UH);
• compressing and elongating the vertical member (V) by exerting horizontal pressure on the vertical member (V);
• and
• compressing and elongating the second horizontal member (LH) by exerting vertical pressure on the second horizontal member (LH),
• whereby the panel is caused to curve in a predetermined direction, and whereby curved panels are formed at a rate of at least 22 feet per minute.

A panel curving apparatus for imparting a desired curvature to a metal panel, the metal panel having a predetermined thickness and a substantially flat section (S), a first leg (M) extending generally perpendicular from a first edge of the flat section and a second leg (F) extending generally perpendicular from the other, second edge of the flat section, the first and second legs extending generally in the same direction, the first leg comprising a first horizontal member (UH) and a first lip member (UL), the first horizontal member extending generally perpendicular from the first edge, the first lip member (UL) extending generally perpendicular from the first horizontal member and extending generally parallel to the flat section, wherein the flat section, the first horizontal member and the first lip member form a first pocket (UP), the second leg comprising a second horizontal member (LH), a vertical member (V), and a second lip member (LL), the second horizontal member extending generally perpendicular from the second edge and generally parallel to the first horizontal member, the vertical member extending generally perpendicular from the second horizontal member and extending generally away from the first leg, the second lip member extending generally perpendicular from the vertical member and extending generally parallel to the second horizontal member and back toward the plane of the flat section, wherein the second horizontal member, the vertical member, and the second lip member form a second pocket (LP), the panel curving apparatus comprising:

• a rigid frame;
• a first compression device, attached to the rigid frame, and having a first wheel, an opposing second wheel, and a driver motor, the driver motor being functionally connected to and driving one of the wheels, the position of at least one of the first wheel or the second wheel being adjustable with respect to the other wheel to provide a distance between the wheels which is less than the predetermined thickness, the first wheel being positioned within the first pocket, the first horizontal member being compressed between the first wheel and the second wheel;
• and,
• a second compression device, attached to the rigid frame, and having a first wheel, an opposing second wheel, and a driver motor, the driver motor being functionally connected to and driving one of the wheels,
• whereby the first horizontal member is elongated by the first compression device, and the second horizontal member is elongated by the second compression device,
• whereby the elongation of the first and second horizontal members cause the panel to curve in a predetermined direction, and whereby curved panels are formed at a rate of at least 22 feet per minute.