Adjustable cutoff apparatus

A cutoff apparatus for cutting an end segment of a predetermined length from a roll-formed element being formed by a roll-forming apparatus, said end segment of the roll-formed element having a sweep therein, the roll-formed element defining a longitudinal direction and being continuously moved in the longitudinal direction, the sweep of said end segment being in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction, comprising:

• a movably supported carriage;
• means on said carriage for engaging said roll-formed element at said end segment;
• means for movably supporting said carriage for movement with the end segment of the roll-formed element for a predetermined distance as the roll-formed element is being continuously formed and moved;
• cutter means operably mounted to said carriage for cutting said segment from the roll-formed element as the roll-formed element is being formed by said roll-forming apparatus, said cutter means including a blade;
• and
• an overhead support movably supporting said carriage and cutter means substantially in a "weight free" state so that said carriage can pivot and translate as necessary to accommodate the sweep of said segment to thereby minimize undesirable stress on the roll-formed element and prevent binding of the blade as the end segment of said roll-formed element extends through said carriage and is cut by said cutter means.

A roll-forming apparatus comprising:

• a roll-formed machine including a sweeping station for forming a sweep in an elongated roll-formed element;
• a cutoff apparatus positioned adjacent the output of said roll-forming machine for cutting segments having a predetermined length from the elongated roll-formed element, the elongated element defining a longitudinal direction, the cuttoff apparatus including:
• a carriage movably positioned adjacent the elongated element, said carriage being normally held in a stationary ready position but being movable along with the elongated element at least while the elongated element is being cut;
• cutting means operably mounted to said carriage for cutting the elongated element at a predetermined location so as to separate a particular segment from a remaining portion of the elongated element, said cutting means being normally held in a substantially retracted rest position but being movable through a cutting stroke during which the particular segment is cut free, said carriage being movable at least during the time in which said cutting means is being moved through the cutting stroke;
• means for moving said carriage and cutting means along with the elongated element during the cutting stroke;
• and
• counterbalance means for movably supporting said cutoff apparatus in a "weight free" state so that the weight of said cutoff apparatus is born by said supporting means and said cutoff apparatus is allowed to pivot and translate as necessary to minimize undesirable stress on the elongate element and to minimize bending of said cutting means during the cutting stroke.

A cutoff apparatus for cutting segments of predetermined lengths from an elongated element formed on a continuous roll-forming process comprising:

• a carriage having a passageway for slideably receiving and guiding said elongated element as it passes therethrough, said carriage including means for automatically engaging said elongated element so that said carriage temporarily moves with said elongated element, and further including means for automatically periodically returning said carriage to a start position;
• cutting means operably connected to said carriage for receiving said element from and as guided by said carriage;
• said cutting means having means for cutting said element into predetermined lengths;
• and
• counterbalancing support means for supporting said carriage and cutting means in space in a suspended substantially "weight free" state thereby substantially eliminating said elongated element from bearing the weight of said carriage and cutting means.

A cutoff apparatus for cutting segments of predetermined lengths from an elongated element comprising:

• a carriage having a passageway for receiving and guiding said element as it passes therethrough;
• a cutting means operably connected to said carriage for receiving said element from and as guided by said carriage;
• said cutting means having means for cutting said element into predetermined lengths;
• counterbalancing support means for supporting said carriage and cutting means in space of a suspended substantially "weight free" state thereby substantially eliminating said elongated element from bearing the weight of said carriage and cutting means;
• and
• the carriage including a means for setting the cutting means into operation upon a predetermined length of said elongated element being passed through said carriage.

A method for cutting segments of predetermined lengths comprising:

• continuously forming an elongated element;
• providing a guide means for guiding said element as said element is being continuously formed;
• providing a cutting means for cutting said element;
• guiding said element into said cutting means by means of said guide means;
• providing a counterbalancing support means;
• and
• supporting said guide means and said cutter means by said counterbalancing support means in space in a suspended substantially "weight free" state thereby substantially eliminating said elongated element from bearing the weight of said carrier and cutting means.