U.S. patent application number 11/706795 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for beaded opening in sheet metal framing member.
Invention is credited to Matt F. Surowiecki.
Application Number | 20080190053 11/706795 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39684659 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080190053 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Surowiecki; Matt F. |
August 14, 2008 |
Beaded opening in sheet metal framing member
Abstract
A punch (42) is used to form a circular opening (46) in the web
(28) of a framing member (26). A first tool (50) is provided having
a head (56) with a first end and a circular cross section that
increases in diameter as it extends from the first end axially
inwardly of the tool (50). The first end of this head (56) is
inserted into the circular opening (46) and the tool (50) is
rotated and is moved axially into the opening (46), for stretching
the metal surrounding the opening (46) and forming a flare (60)
that surrounds the opening (46). A second tool (62) is provided
having a head (68) with a first end and a circular cross section
that increases in diameter from the first end axially inwardly of
the tool (62). The first end of this tool is inserted into the
flare (60) from the second side of the web (28). The tool (62) is
rotated and moved axially so that the head (68) will further
stretch the metal surrounding the opening and form the flare (60)
into a bead (60) that surrounds and become the periphery of the
opening (46).
Inventors: |
Surowiecki; Matt F.;
(Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNARD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW, INC.
P.O. BOX 58888
SEATTLE
WA
98138-1888
US
|
Family ID: |
39684659 |
Appl. No.: |
11/706795 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/220.8 ;
52/741.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 3/083 20130101;
E04B 2002/7488 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/220.8 ;
52/741.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/52 20060101
E04C002/52; E04B 2/58 20060101 E04B002/58 |
Claims
1. A method of forming a beaded opening in a frame member having a
web, comprising: forming an opening in the web of the framing
member; introducing a forming tool into the opening from a first
side of the framing member, and using said tool to flare the metal
immediately surround the opening; causing said flare curving
convexly from the first side of the framing member inwardly into
the opening; introducing a forming tool into the flare from the
second side of the framing member and using said forming tool to
reverse curl the flare and form it into a bead that becomes the
periphery of the opening; and causing said bead presenting a
convexly rounded inner surface in the opening positioned to be
contacted by any object that is inserted into and through the
opening.
2. The method of claim 1, comprising supporting the framing member
on a support member that includes a punch receiving opening;
bringing a punch against the web on the side of the web opposite
the support member; positioning the punch in alignment with the
opening in the support member; and extending the punch to punch an
opening through the web of the framing member, moving the punch
through the punch opening in this support member.
3. The method of claim 1, comprising providing a frame member
having a channel cross section composed of the web and two flanges,
said web extending between and interconnecting the two flanges, and
introducing the punch against the side of the web on which the
flanges are located.
4. The method of claim 3, comprising introducing the first framing
tool into the opening from the side of the web on which the flanges
are located.
5. The method of claim 4, comprising introducing the second forming
tool into the flare from the side of the framing member opposite
the flanges.
6. The method of claim 1, comprising forming a circular opening in
the web and providing a tool with a head having a first end
insertable of the circular opening and a circular cross section
throughout its length which increases in diameter as it extends
from the first end axially inwardly of the tool head, and rotating
said tool and moving it axially into the circular opening for spin
forming the flanges that surrounds the opening.
7. The method of claim 6, comprising providing a tool with a head
having a first end and circular cross section increasing in
diameter from the first end axially inwardly of the tool, and
inserting the first end of such tool into the flared opening from
the second side of the framing member and rotating said tool and
moving it axially inwardly to form the flare into a bead that
becomes the periphery of the opening.
8. A framing member having a channel shape cross section formed by
a pair of spaced apart flanges and a web that extends between and
interconnects common edges of the flanges; at least one beaded
opening formed in the web of the framing member, said beaded
opening being circular at its center and having a bead at its
periphery; said bead curving convexly as it extends from one side
of the web into the opening and then curving convexly from the
center of the opening as it continues to extend away from the web,
whereby the beaded opening presents a rounded convex surface
leading into the opening followed by a rounded convex surface
leading out from the opening.
9. The framing member of claim 7, where in the bead is on the side
of the web that is opposite the spaced apart flanges.
10. The framing member of claim 7, comprising a plurality of
axially spaced apart beaded openings formed in the web of the
framing member.
11. The framing member of claim 9, where in the beads are on the
side of the web that is opposite the spaced apart flanges.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to sheet metal framing members, such
as sheet metal studs or the like. More particularly, it relates to
the provision of a beaded opening in the framing member for
receiving an elongated article, e.g. an electrical cable, metal or
plastic conduit or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Framing walls are typically constructed from a plurality of
horizontally spaced apart vertically extending studs that are
connected at their upper and lower ends to horizontally extending
members termed "tracks". Some framing is constructed from wood
members and other is constructed from sheet metal members. When
wood members are used, it is common practice to drill a series of
holes in the studs for receiving an electrical cable, water pipe,
etc. that must extend through the interior of the wall of which the
framing is a part. When sheet metal frame members are used for the
framing, it has been the practice to stamp holes in the webs of the
studs and extend the electrical cable, conduits, etc. through these
holes. A problem experienced when this method is used is that the
stamped openings have sharp edges that cut the electrical cable
and/or conduit that is inserted through the openings. A principal
object of the present invention is to eliminate this problem by
eliminating the sharp edges at the periphery of the openings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The method of the invention comprises forming an opening in
the web of a framing member then introducing a framing tool into
the opening from a first side of the framing member and using said
tool the metal immediately surrounding the opening, causing the
flare to curve convexly from the first side of the framing member
inwardly into the opening. Next, a forming tool is introduced into
the flare from the second side of the framing member and used to
reverse curl the flare and form it into a bead at the periphery of
the opening. The bead is formed to present a convexly rounded inner
surface in the opening positioned to be contacted by any object
inserted into and through the opening.
[0004] In one embodiment, the framing member is positioned on a
support member that includes a punch-receiving opening. The punch
is moved against the web on the side of the web opposite the
support member, in alignment with the opening in the support
member. Then, the punch is extended to punch an opening through the
web of the frame member. After forming the opening the punch moves
through the punch opening in the support member.
[0005] In preferred form, the frame member has a channel cross
section composed of the web and two flanges. The web extends
between and interconnects the two flanges. The punch is introduced
against the side of the web on which the flanges are located.
[0006] In preferred form, the first forming tool is inserted into
the opening from the side of the web on which the flanges are
located. The second forming tool is inserted into the flare from
the side of the framing member opposite the flanges.
[0007] In preferred form, the opening formed in the web is a
circular opening. The tool that is used to form the flare has a
head with a first end and a circular cross sectional shape that
increases in diameter from the first end as it extends axially
inwardly of the tool. The tool that forms the bead has a head with
the first end a circular cross section that increases in diameter
as it extends from the first end axially of the tool. This flare
forming tool is rotated as it is moved axially into the opening to
form the flare. The bead forming tool is rotated as it is pushed
axially into the flare to form the bead.
[0008] Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will
become apparent from the description of the best mode set forth
below, from the drawings, from the claims and from the principles
that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated
and described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts
throughout the several views of the drawing, and:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary pictorial view of a region of a
sheet metal stud that includes a prior art opening in which an
electrical cable is received;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the stud and the
electrical cable shown in FIG. 1, taken perpendicular to the web of
the stud, with the cable shown in section;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially
along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a sheet metal stud with its
web on a support showing a circular punch moving through the web
and an opening in the support member;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4, but showing a forming tool
being rotated and moved axially into the punched opening in the web
so as to flare the opening and create a flared lip that surrounds
the opening;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a view like FIG. 5, showing a second tool being
rotated and moved axially through the flared opening from the
opposite side of the stud, for reversing the curl of the flare and
forming a bead at the periphery of the opening;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken through the stud at the
location of a beaded opening, such view including a broken line
showing of an electrical cable or other elongated member extending
through the beaded opening; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary pictorial view of a portion of a
stud that includes two beaded openings, such view showing an
electrical cable extending through one of the beaded openings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,203, granted Jul. 7, 1992, to Robert F.
Paquette, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,237, granted Feb. 15, 2005, to
Matt F. Surowiecki, show framing walls composed of upper and lower,
horizontal, channel members, termed "tracks", and spaced apart,
vertical studs extending between the upper and lower channel
members. Both of these patents disclose wallboard sheeting secured
to the opposite sides of the framing wall.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawing, sheet metal studs 10
comprise a web 12 that extends between and interconnects one set of
edges of a pair of flanges 14, 16. The other set of edges of the
flanges 14, 16 are connected to lips 18, 20. The web 12 and lips
18, 20 are substantially parallel with each other and are
substantially perpendicular to the flanges 14, 16. Thus, the
flanges 14, 16 are substantially parallel to each other and are
substantially perpendicular to the web 12 and the lips 18, 20. It
is a known practice to form openings 22 in the webs of the studs 10
for receiving and accommodating an electrical cable 24 or some
other elongated member (e.g. metal or plastic tubing) which must be
housed in the framing wall. FIGS. 1-3 show a prior art opening 22
which is formed by a punch. A problem with this type of opening 22
is that the punching process leaves sharp edges at the edges of the
opening 22, one of which is designated 26. The electrical cable 24
is fed through the openings 22 which are usually at the same
elevation in all of the studs 10. As the electrical cable 24 or
other object is being pulled through the stamped openings 22, its
surface rides on the sharp edges 22 of the openings 22. Quite often
the sharp edges 24 cut into and damage the electrical cable 24 or
other object.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 4, a stud 26 is shown to comprise a web
28, a pair of flanges 32, 34 and a pair of lips 36, 38. The web 28
extends between and interconnects common edges of the flanges 32,
34. The opposite edges of the flanges 32, 34 are connected to lips
36, 38. The web 28 and the lips 36, 38 are substantially parallel
to each other and substantially perpendicular to the flanges 32,
34. The flanges 32, 34 are substantially parallel to each other and
substantially perpendicular to the web 28 and the lips 36, 38. As
shown by FIGS. 4-6, this gives the framing member 26 a lipped
channel cross sectional shape.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows the framing member 26 with its web against and
supported by a support member 40. A suitable tool or punch 42 is
moved against the web 28 in alignment with a punch-receiving
opening 44 formed in this support member 40. The punch is used to
stamp or punch a circular opening 46 in the web 28 by removing a
disc shaped piece 48 from the web 28. Next, a suitable tool 50 is
moved into the opening 46 from the open side of the member 26. This
tool 50 is used to flare the opening 46. By way of example, the
tool 50 is a rotatable forming member 52 that includes a shaft 54
that is connected to a rotary driver (not shown). Tool 52 also
includes a forming head 56 that has a forming surface 58 shaped to
flare the material 60 surrounding the opening 46 as the tool is
rotated and moved into the opening. After the flare 60 is formed, a
second tool 62 is introduced into the flared opening 46, from the
opposite side of the member 26. By way of example, this tool 62 may
be a rotary forming tool 64 having a shaft 66 that is attached to a
rotary driver (not shown). Tool 62 includes a shaping head 68 which
is shaped to curl the flared portion 60 of the web 28 so as to form
it into an annular bead 60' that surrounds the periphery of the
opening 46. The bead 60' starts curling as it extends inwardly of
the opening from web 28. The curling continues through the opening
46 and beyond the opening 46 so that the bead 60' is substantially
torus in shape. It is not necessary that the bead 60' be curled as
much as is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. It is only necessary that
it be curled to the extent that the wire cable 24 or other
elongated object 24 will contact a rounded surface at the periphery
of the opening 46. A sharp edged periphery for the opening 46 is
eliminated.
[0022] The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present
invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood
that many changes in the particular structure, materials and
features that are disclosed may by made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the framing member
may be punched and the flare formed and then the bead formed by the
use of successive tools which are mounted on rollers through which
the sheet metal member passes. Also, the bead may be formed on the
inside of the web rather than on the outside, as illustrated.
Therefore, it is my intention that my patent rights not be limited
by the particular embodiments that are illustrated and described
herein, but rather are to be determined by the following claims,
interpreted according to accepted doctrines of patent claim
interpretation, including use of the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *