Patent ID: 9459019
Filing Date: 2016-10-04
CPC Classification: B21D,B65B,F16L,F24F,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A duct making apparatus, comprising: a first station configured to accept a formable sheet material, said first station including a first mechanism for forming one of a male lock bend and a female lock seam in a leading edge of said formable sheet material; a second station having a retractable conveyor, said retractable conveyor being selectively movable from a first position in which said retractable conveyor is in close association with said first station, to a second position in which said retractable conveyor is spaced apart from said first station forming thereby a void between said first station and said second station, said retractable conveyor, when in said first position, supporting an underside of said sheet material; wherein movement of said sheet material from said first station to said second station defines an axis of travel of said sheet material; and wherein a third station operates to form the other of said male lock bend and said female lock seam on a trailing edge of said formable sheet material when said retractable conveyor is in said second position and without altering said axis of travel of said formable sheet material, said third station including a roll forming assembly, said roll forming assembly being selectively movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to said axis of travel of said sheet material.