Automated method for placement of angle plates in transverse duct flanges

Abstract

A method of installing angle plates at the corners of ducts which has at the opposite ends of each panel of the duct channel shaped flanges into which is installed an angle plate with the angle plates being utilized to secure adjacent ducts together utilizing fasteners. The angle plates are configurated so as to be automatically fed by way of a supply hopper and associated machinery is constructed whereby a lowermost angle plate in a stack is automatically fed into position overlying duct channel flanges after the duct has been clamped in place followed by the forcing of the angle plate into the duct channel flanges and the securement of the angle plate in place. The method may comprise placing two angle flanges into two corners of one end of the duct and, further, simultaneously placing angle plates into the channel flanges at both the bottom and top of a duct. Finally, the duct may come with two portions joined by a seam which is automatically locked together at the time of the placement of the angle plates.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.