Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PORTABLE HYDRAULIC PUNCH
l~ACKGROUNn OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to apparatus for use
in mounting roof panels upon a building under construction, and
especially to an apparatus for punching a desired plurality of
predetermined holes a desired distance apart.
2. Desc~ption of the Prior Art
In conventional building construction, roof panels are
mounted thereupon by drilling a predetermined number of spaced
holes along the building roof panel support joists. However,
this requires the use of electric drills, the use of drill bits
which quickly become either dull and/or broken, and thus require
replacement thereof, and, of course, causes extreme worker
fatigue in the drilling process. Another drawback of such
conventional type construction is that oftentimes the spacing of
the holes is not a~ accurate as necessary for desired proper roof
construction.
Of course, hydraulic punch apparatus for punching
various t~pe holes in panels, beams, joists and the like are well
known; however,~none of the known devices are readily usable with
roof panel support joists and the like, and thus are not
practical for effecting proper roof construction.
Known patents which may be pertinent to the present
invention are as follows:
Whitney 1,1~0,357 4/25/16
Westervelt 2,374,400 4/24/45
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347
Von Hagel et al 2,781,838 2/19/57
Goodman 3,344,519 10/ 3/67
Brolund 3,469,487 9/30/69
Duffy 3,892,154 7/ 1/75
Mitsuhashi et al 3,924,330 12/ 9/75
Olsson 4,088,048 5/ 9/78
Beatty 4,136,592 1/30/79
Urbanski 4,192,209 3/11/80
Mori et al 4,509,397 4/ 9/85
None of these known prior art devices offer the new and
novel features of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect of the invention, a self-
contained apparatus for use in installing roof panels
comprises:
a support housing;
` guide means on said housing for temporarily affixing
: same on a building support beam;
adjustable gauge means on said housing;
a punch means on said housing for punching holes in
said building roof support member;
said support housing comprising a rectangular body
having an oil containing sump therewithin, and means for
pumping oil from said sump to said punch means; and
said means for pumping oil from said sump to said pump
means including an oil pump together with an electric motor
for operating said pump.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a
method of providing a plurality of spaced holes
in a roof panel support member of a building under
construc*ion comprises the following steps:
drilling a first pilot hole at one end of the roof
panel support member;
mounting a portable hydraulic punch apparatus upon the
roof panel support member;
,
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moving the apparatus along the support member until a
gauge pin can be locked into the first pilot hole or next
punched hole;
using punching structure of the portable punch
apparatus for punching another hole a predetermined distance
from the first one, said predetermined distance being
determined by the distance between said punching structure
and said gauge pin;
removing said gauge pin from a preceding reference; and
repeating the preceding three steps until a plurality
of spaced holes have been punched in the roof panel support
member.
The present invention has a number of new and novel
features. Among them is an elongated housing having a
built-in oil sump, and a hydraulic pump mounted in said sump
which is actuated by an electric motor attached thereto.
The electric motor has a quick start operating button
associated therewith for easy operation by a user of the
device. A built-in hydraulic pressure maintaining valve is
included in the hydraulic system so that minimum hydraulic
pressure will always be retained in this system. The
purpose of this is to provide quick start-up and guick punch
operation when the electric button is depressed.
An adjustable gauge pin is mounted at one end of the
elongated housing, with this pin being adjustable both
lengthwise of the housing, as well as widthwise. This
permits variation of the adjustment of the gauge pin in both
the x and y axes. Of course, the gauge pin itself moves in
the z axis. On the other end of the housing from the gauge
pin is an adjustable hydraulic punch structure which
includes a stripper and a replaceable punch, and a
complementary die for the punch.
This apparatus offers complete portability, complete
adjustability in all axes, and easy and accurate operation
by a workman doing roof construction.
; 3
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These together with other objects and advantages which
will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of
construction and operation as more fully hereinafter
describe
3 a
130834~
and claimed, reference being had ko the accompanying drawings
forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like part
throuyhout.
BE`~IEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
P'IG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a vertical side cross-sectional view taken
generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken
. ~ generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
:~ FIG. 7 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view
taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the
: present invention as in use.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective of the adjustable
front width guide, together with the adjustably mounted hydraulic
punch cylinder.
: FIG. 10 is a ~ragmentary side view of the punch
~ ~ assembly per se.
; ~ FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken
~ : generally along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.
: ~ :
DESCRIPTION OF THE PR_FERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8 of ~he drawlngs, reference
numeral 10 indicates in general the portable hydraulic punch
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apparatus of the present invention. Reference numeral 20 refers
ln general to the adjust~bly mounted gauge pin structure of the
present invention, while reference numeral 30 refers to the
adjus-table width front guide structure, reference numeral 40
refers to the hydraulic punch structure, and reference numeral 50
refers to the rear adjustable width guide structure.
The joist runner of the present invention includes an
elongated rectangular housing 12, preferably o~ plastic material,
having an oil sump in a substantial portion of the center
thereof. An electric motor 14 having a start capacitor 16
therewith drives a hydraulic pump 18. The motor normally is
mounted on a transparent cover TC so that the pump 18 extends
into the oil in the oil sump. A support structure 17 has a quick
start button QB mounted on the top thereof. A suitable hydraulic
line HL is connected between pump 18 and the hydraulic punch 44.
PrPferably, a minimum pressure valve PV is connected in this line
so that the o~l pressure therein cannot drop below a certain
given value. Such value is just below that required for the
punch 44 to operate; thus, when the quick start button QB is
pressed, the pump will quickly build up sufficient additional
hydraulic pressure to effect a quick punch operation. Otherwise,
without the pressure valve PV in the system, a lag time would
always be present between the depressing of start button QB,
energization of electrical motor 14 and buildup of hydraulic
pressure in pump 18 and in line HL. By the use of this minimum
pressure valve, such lag time is eliminated. An electric cord EC
supplies the electrical power through suitable extension cords to
electric motor 14.
At the front end of the housing are provided a pair o~
width guides. These width guides 32 have support blocks 33 which
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move respectively on the double threaded front jack screw FJS.As best seen in FIG. 6, one half of the front jacX screw is
threaded in one direction, while the other hal~ thereof is
threaded in the opposite direction. Thus, when the jack screw
knob 37 is rotated in one direction or the other, the blocks 33
will be moved inwardly or outwardly, as indicated by the arrows
DD in FIG. 9. The width guide bodies 32 are pivotally mounted
from these blocks 33 ~y appropriate pin supports. At the lower
extremity of each width guide body 32 are rollers 34 which are
freely pivotally mounted therefrom. Front lever linkage FLL is
appropriately mounted to each of the width guide bodies 32 for
actuation thereof by cables 138. When the respective levers 38
for the width guides are moved in the direction of the arrows E,
the cables 138 will effect opening of the front width guides 32.
Compression springs 238 supported between adjusting structures AS
and the connection to the front linking levers FLL effect
movement of these levers in the opposite direction to that of the
cables 138. A stop block SB appropriately mounted in conjunction
with the linking levers LL prevent their movement too far in the
closing direction.
The rear width guide bodies 52 are similar to the ones
32 already described. An adjusting knob 57 rotates a double
threaded rear jack screw RJS mounted transversely near the rear
of housing 12. Transversely threaded blocks 53, similar to
bloFks 33 already described, similarly support width guide bodies
52 pivotally therefrom. Rear linlcing levers RLL are actuated by
the cables 158 which also are connected to the width guide levers
38. Thus simultaneously with opening and closing of the front
width guides 30, the rear width guides 50 are likewise opened and
closed.
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A front handle 19 mounted transversely across the
forward portion of the housing 12 provides a convenient hand grip
for an operator of the device. Likewise, a rear handle 68 which
extends lengthwise along the centerline of the housing provides
further gripplng and suppor~ structure for an operator.
Mounted at the rear of the housing is the pin gauge
structure 20. This consists of a body 22 supporting a pin 24
having a tapered pointed end 23 on the lower end thereof. A
semi-circular curved handle 26 affixed to the top of pin 24
provides a convenient hand grip for a user. Within the body 22
is a compression spring 27 which no~mally biases the pointed end
23 in the down position. An adjusting knob 28 is used to operate
a screw 88 to move the support block 128 forward or rearwardly of
the housing. The body 22 of the yauge pin is mounted on the
block 128 in a bevelled side slotted channel, as best seen in the
cross-section of FIG. 5. Adjusting screws 51 are used to move
the pin gauge housiny 22 transversely of the housing 12.
Between the oil sump reservoir and the front of the
housing is mounted the punch jack screw PJS with a handle 47
affixed thereto. A block 43 ha~ing guide slots GS on either side
thereof is suitably supported from the housing for mo~ement
transversely F of the housing 12. Rotation of the punch jack
screw PJS in the pillow block 143 is affixed to the support block
43 in conventional manner.
Looking at FIGS. 10 and ll of the drawings, the
hydraulic punch 44, together with the support block 43 and the
anvil structure 42 mounted therehelow, can be seen in detail.
The anvil block 42 has a throat T for access to a plastic
stripper 144 mounted on the lower end of the hydraulic punch
cylinder 44. As best seen in FIG. ll, the hydraulic punch
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~30133a~7
cylinder 44 has a punch piston PP supported for vertical m~vement
therewithin and an oil ring OR for maintaining and preventing oil
leakage past the piston head PP. A guide pin GP mounted from
the top of the hydraulic punch 44 maintains alignment of the
punch during operation thereof. At the lower end of this
structure a metal punch 50 is shown. The lower portion of anvil
42 has a die 142 held in place by a set screw 5S. In normal
operation o~ the joist runner, the flange or edge of the joist
beam JB passes or moves through the throat T of this structure,
and when tha hydraulic punch ~ is activated, the punch 50 will
suitàbly form a hole through the desired portion of the flange o~
the joist beam. Of course, knob 47 is used initially to suitahly
position the punch structure along the desired line for the holes
to be spaced and punched.
The method of erecting and installing a roof panel
structure on a bar ~oist using the joist run of the present
invention will now be described in detail Preferably, MR-24
roof panels are being installed upon the building under
construction. Assuming the building has been erected and the
roof joi~ts are in place, and the initial layout and squaring
procedures have been completed, lines are located on the bar
joists ~or the hole locations which are to be punched by the
joist runner. Then a 5/16" diameter hole is drilled at the point
ascertained for the first pilot hole. I'he hole should be drilled
on the same side that the joist runner punches, i.e., the right-
hand side looking toward the punching direction. Mount the joist
runner upon the bar joist by opening the clamping guides and
place the joist runner thereon. Locate the guide pin of the
joist runner in the pre-drilled pilot hole. Then adjust the
clamping guides, both ~ront and rear, just tight enough to secure
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the tool, and loose enough for trav~l freely along the joist,
taking into account the normal ~olerance of the bar joist width.
Then adjust the punch locating slide to position the punch in the
center of the bar joist top angle. Note that enough seating area
around the punch hole must be provided so that the MR-241~ roof
mounting clip can have ~ proper seating base therefor. Push the
punch operating button and hold it until the punch penetrates the
flange, then immediately release the button. Do not hold the
button after the punch has penetrated the flange, as this only
puts unnecessary strain on the pump and tool, and furthermore,
wastes time. Pull the guide pin up and push the joist runner
forward, relocating the guide pin in the just-punched hole.
Continue the above operation for the remaining holes to be
punched along the bar joist. Approximately every 10 feet or so
verification should be made that the punched holes are spaced as
desired. Ie any changes are occurring, proper adjustment of the
gauge tool should be made so as to maintain the correct two feet
spaclng of the holes being punched. It should be noted that when
encountering obstacles along the bar joist line, such as bracing,
pipe hangers, and the like, it will be necessary to open the
width guides, and perhaps even the punch locating slide to
continue punching around these obstacles. Once the first bar
joist has had the spaced holes punched therein, the operator
returns the tool to the starting end wall and repeats the
aforesaid operating procedures on the next joist line.
Preferably, each operation occurs on the upslope of each bar
joist. Of course, once the holes axe punched, installation of
the MR-24~ roof panels can proceed as conventional. However, it
is very important that the work crews use the pre-punched holes
to maintain the panel modularity on every panel run.
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It can be seen from the foregoiny description tha-t the
joist runner and the punch apparatus of the present invention, as
well as the method of installing roof panels using this tool,
provides an improved apparatus and system over the method and
tools formally used. The apparatus of the present invention
gauges between holes utilizing the gauye pin in the previously
punched holes and then punching the next hole approximately two
feet further ahead. Then the operator manually pulls up the
gauge pin and pushes the tool ahead to the next desired hole. By
inserting the gauge pin in the hole just punched, the next hole
to be punched is accurately gauged (two feet or the like) for
punching thereof. By continuing this operation along the entire
roof panel support beam or ~oist, a plurality of punched holes on
two feet centers can be accurately obtained.
The tool is designed to punch a maximum hole size of
5/16" diameter through 1/8"-1/4" thick high yield steel material,
usually metal angles. The tool will accommodate 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"
to 3n x 3" back-to-back angles with web members from 1/2U
diameter to lN diameter. The centering and locking mechanisms
are designed to swing up out of the way from obstacles like
bracin~ and the like. The gulde pin has a fine adjustment to
assure proper two foot spacing between the punched holes.
The tool and system of the present invention provides
accurate punching with minimal additional costs, and properly
spaced pre-punched holes for attachiny the MR-24~ roof system
properly. A list of the benefits obtained by using the joist
runner and system of the present invention is as follows:
1. Insures that the building constructor squares
the structure properly.
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2. Provides for accurate spacing dimensions between
punched holes (modularity).
3. Assures a propér size hole.
4. Provides for fast installation with minimal
additional labor.
5. No additional material costs are required, except
perhaps at the eaves.
6. Reduces workman fatigue substantially as compared
to conventional drilling.
7. Provides for maximum safety as compared to
conventional drilling.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to
falling within the scope of the invention.
