Patent ID: 6460392
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
A flange bending apparatus for bending an upstanding flange along an inside perimeter of an opening in a panel, the apparatus comprising:a frame configured to support a metal panel workpiece; a first flanging steel supported on the frame for movement between a generally radially inward retracted position and a generally radially outward extended position; a flanging steel drive including an actuator operatively connected to the first flanging steel and configured to reciprocally drive the first flanging steel between the retracted and extended positions, the retracted position of the first flanging steel allowing a metal panel workpiece to be positioned on the frame with the flanging steel extending through an opening in a workpiece supported on the frame, the first flanging steel overlying a first portion of an inside perimeter of the opening when the first flanging steel is in the extended position, the first flanging steel being positioned and configured to engage an inner surface of an upper first portion of an upstanding workpiece flange that extends generally axially upwardly from around the inside perimeter of the opening in the workpiece and to bend the upper first portion of the workpiece flange radially outward when the actuator moves the first flanging steel from the retracted to the extended position, the first flanging steel and frame being configured to bend the upper first portion of the workpiece flange radially outward such that a lateral bend line is formed along the flange where no breakline was present before bending; a second flanging steel is supported on the frame for movement between a generally radially inward retracted position and a generally radially outward extended position; a first steel interconnect operatively connects the first steel to the second steel and includes a cam roller rotatably connected to one of the first and second steels; a cam slot is formed in the other of the first and second steels and is configured to receive the cam roller in rolling engagement such that motion of the cam roller in the cam slot drives the second steel between the retracted and extended positions as the first flanging steel moves between its retracted and extended positions; the retracted position of the second flanging steel allows the metal panel workpiece to be positioned on the frame with the second flanging steel extending through an opening in the workpiece; and the second flanging steel is positioned and configured to engage an inner surface of an upper portion of the upstanding workpiece flange and to bend the upper portion of the workpiece flange radially outward when the first flanging steel moves the second flanging steel from the retracted to the extended position such that a lateral bend line is formed along the flange where no breakline was present before bending.