Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PCf/US93/10942
WO 94/11597
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METALLIC WALL FRAMING, METHOD
AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SAME
This invention relates to metallic wall framing for use in residential
and commercial buildings. More particuiarly, it relates to metal framing
that comprises upper and lower metallic track members and metallic
vertical members connecting the upper and lower track members, the
individual members, a method for producing the individual members from
flat metallic stock and a portable apparatus for producing the members
from flat metallic stock.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Framing used in residential and commercial buildings generally have
upper and lower horizontal members which are generally spaced apart
vertically by a distance that corresponds to the vertical wall height. The
upper and lower members which are referred to as "plates", or "runners"
or "tracks", particularly when materials other than wood are used. In this
application, the term "track member" is used and refers to the horizontal
members. The vertical members of the framing that connect the upper
and lower tracks are referred to as "studs" or "risers". In the context of
the present invention the vertical members for connecting the upper and
lower tracks members are referred to as a "stud members".
}
In commercial or residential buildings in which fire proofing or fire
resistance is desired, conventional wood framing can not be used. As a
result, there have been numerous metallic framing designs proposed, such
as those disclosed in United States Patents No. 2,173,721; 2,966,708;
21483u5
WO 94/11597 PCT/US93/10842~:r
_ 2_
3,001,615; 3,536,345; 3,680,271; 4,805,364; 4,854,096 and
=
4,918,899. However, there remains a need for a metallic track members
which are capable of easily receiving and securely retaining studs and
which track can be fabricated from flat metallic sheet at the job site and
which can be assembled into construction framing with a minimum of
labor and material costs. Prior metallic construction members such as
those illustrated in the above patents lacked one or more of the above
qualities. Certain members could not be readily manufactured at the job
site. In certain types of members the stud member tended to move in
one or more directions. Other designs of metallic construction members
resulted in excessive field assembly time. Still other types of designs
were cumbersome to transport from the production facility at which they
were fabricated to the job site where they were to be used.
It is believed, therefore, that metallic members which obviates
many of the disadvantages of prior metallic framing members would be an
advancement in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is
provided a metallic longitudinal track that comprises first and second
substantially identical and parallel vertical wall sections forming opposing
vertical walls of the track, first and second substantially identical
horizontal base'sections of the track having a first width and, projecting at
about 90 from the corresponding adjacent wall sections at one extremity
along the entire length thereof, first and second substantially identical
vertical intermediate sections and projecting angularly from an extremity
of adjacent base sections opposite to the respective wall sections and
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having transverse cross-sections in the shape of the sides and top ofNa
truncated isosceles triangle; the intermediate sections have a plurality of
transversely aligned locking slots for receiving and retaining portions of
vertical transverse metallic stud members and a third horizontal base
section having a second width between the vertical intermediate sections.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention there is
provided a metallic stud member having a predetermined length
comprising first and second spaced apart parallel wall sections exteriding
the length of the stud member, a transition section perpendicular to and
connecting the wall sections at one extremity of each wall section and
flange sections projecting perpendicular from the opposing extremity of
each corresponding wall section. The transition section has at least one
construction aids at predetermined locations selected from the group
consisting of:
i) a first receiving means capable of receiving and securing a
metallic transverse member interconnecting an adjacent transition section
of an adjacent stud member,
ii) a second receiving means capable of receiving and securing a
mounting member for an electrical box,
iii) a passageway for enabling an electrical conduit to traverse
said stud member,
iv) a pair of slots for receiving and securing end tabs of
transverse framing for a door or a window and
v) an opening at the lower extremity of the transition section
~._.
for passage of utility conduits.
CA 02148365 2004-01-14
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In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a
metallic stud member for use with a track member of this invention, the
metallic stud
member comprising: a) first and second spaced apart parallel wall sections
extending the length of the stud member between first and second ends of the
stud
member; b) a transition section connecting the wall sections at one edge of
each
wall section and containing at least one construction aid; c) a first flange
section
extending the length of the first wall section and projecting perpendicular
from the
other edge of the first wall section; and d) a second flange section extending
the
length of the second wall section and projecting perpendicular from the other
edge
of the second wall section, wherein at least one of said first and second ends
of the
stud member being adapted for insertion into the at least one locking slot of
the
track member, and the perpendicular projection of the first and second flange
members of the stud member being dimensioned to limit transverse movement of
the flange members when in contact with the first and second horizontal base
sections of the track member.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a
metallic frame comprising: a) a lower track member having a longitudinal axis
and
comprising: i) first and second substantially identical and parallel vertical
wall
sections forming opposing vertical walls of the track member; ii) first and
second
substantially identical horizontal base sections having a first width and
projecting at
about 900 from corresponding adjacent wall sections at one extremity and along
the
entire length thereof; iii) first and second substantially identical vertical
intermediate
sections extending the length of the track member and projecting from an
extremity
of adjacent base sections opposite to the respective wall sections and having
transverse cross-sections in the shape of the sides and the tops of a
truncated
isosceles triangles, each intermediate section having at least one locking
slot, the
locking slots being in alignment in a direction transverse and normal to the
longitudinal axis of the track member; and iv) a third horizontal base section
having
a second width between the vertical intermediate sections; b) a plurality of
vertical
stud members transverse to the horizontal axis of the track member and having
portions at one end thereof inserted into the locking slot of the lower track
member,
each stud member comprising: i) first and second spaced apart parallel wall
CA 02148365 2004-01-14
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sections extending the height of the stud member; ii) a transition section
connecting
the wall sections at one edge of each wall section and containing at least one
construction aid; iii) a first flange section extending along the first wall
section and at
about 900 from the other edge of the first wall section; and iv) a second
flange
section extending the length of the second wall section and projecting
perpendicular
from the other edge of the second wall section; one end of each of the first
and
second flange sections contacting the first and second base sections of the
track
member; and c) an upper track member adapted for receiving and retaining an
opposing end of the stud members in a relatively fixed position.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a
process for producing a metallic track member comprising: a) providing stud
locking slots at selected locations in a relatively flat sheet of metallic
material,
b) marking the resulting slotted sheet at repetitive locations to provide
indicants
thereon, c) bending the slotted sheet containing the indicants to form a
W-shaped track; and d) severing the W-shaped track at a predetermined length.
The bending step may comprise: (a) forming first and second substantially
identical and parallel vertical wall sections forming opposing vertical walls
of the
track; (b) forming first and second substantially identical horizontal base
sections
having a first width and projecting at about 90 from corresponding adjacent
wall
sections at one extremity and along the entire length thereof; (c) forming
first and
second substantially identical vertical intermediate sections projecting from
an
extremity of adjacent base sections opposite to the respective wall sections
and
having transverse cross-sections in the shape of the sides and tops of
truncated
isosceles triangles, each intermediate section having at least one locking
slot
adapted for receiving and retaining portions of a metallic stud member; and
(d)
forming a third horizontal base section having a second width between the
vertical
intermediate sections.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a
machine for manufacturing predetermined lengths of a shaped metallic track
from a
flat sheet of metal, the machine comprising: (a) a portable base having
mounted
thereon; (b) a metallic sheet holding means; (c) stamping means for cutting
locking
slots at preselected intervals along the length of the sheet; (d) a marking
device for
CA 02148365 2004-01-14
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providing a series of indicants along the length of the sheet; (e) multiple
bending
stations for providing a series of bends in the metal sheet to form a W-shaped
member; and (f) means for severing the metallic material into predetermined
lengths wherein the holding means, the stamping means and the bending station
sequentially process the metal.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a
process for producing a metallic stud member of this invention, the metallic
stud
member being of a predetermined length, the process comprising: (a) stamping
at
least one construction aid at a predetermined location in a flat metallic
sheet; (b)
subjecting the flat metallic sheet to bending steps to convert the flat sheet
to a
metallic stud member having said wall sections, transition section and
dimensioned
flange sections; and (c) severing at the predetermined length at a preselected
time
during the process.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a
construction aid comprising a metallic strip comprising (a) a pair of
projections for
receiving and retaining a transverse member having a relative flat surface to
which
a flat wall surface can be mounted and (b) spaced apart enabling means for the
metallic strip to be anchored to a surface on the side of the metallic strip
opposite to
the pair of projections.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a
metallic stud member with an attached electrical conduit box comprising: a
stud
member having a pair of vertically aligned slots at a first distance from a
first end of
the stud member; and the electrical conduit box comprising a pair of outwardly
extending first and second tabs adapted for insertion into the stud member
slots,
the first tabs extending outwardly from a first side of a face of the conduit
box, the
second tabs extending outwardly in an opposed direction with respect to the
first tab
and from a second side of the conduit box face, and wherein the pair of
outwardly
extending first and second mounting tabs are inserted within the pair of
vertically
aligned slots.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a
metallic stud member comprising: (a) first and second spaced apart parallel
wall
sections extending the length of the stud member; (b) a transition section
CA 02148365 2004-01-14
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connecting the wall sections at one edge of each wall section and containing
at
least one construction aid; (c) a first flange section extending the length of
the first
wall section and projecting perpendicular from the other edge of the first
wall
section; and (d) a second flange section extending the length of the second
wall
section and projecting perpendicular from the other edge of the second wall
section,
wherein an electrical conduit box is secured to the stud member by a pair of
mounting tabs of the conduit box and without use of a screw or bolt, the
mounting
tabs being inserted within a pair of vertically aligned slots of the stud
member and
extending in opposed directions with respect to one another.
W0 94/11597 PCT/US93/10842,:;:'w;
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In still other embodiments of this invention there are provided
methods of producing the metallic track and stud members from a
relatively flat metallic sheet. Additional embodiments provide portable
mechanisms for producing the metallic track and stud members at the job
site. Still other embodiments provide framing that comprises a pair of
vertically spaced apart track members as set forth above and a plurality of
U-shaped metallic stud members having the construction aids as
described above and construction aids for mounting internal walls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a lower track
member interconnected with a vertical U-shaped stud member.
Fig. 2 is an end view of a track member.
...,
Fig. 3 is a top view of the profile of a typical locking slot utilized in
the practice of this invention.
Fig. 4 is a broken-away fragmentary perspective view showing an
optional upper track member connected to the upper end of a slide
member of this invention.
Fig. 5 is an end view optional upper track member.
Fig. 6 is a view of a segment of the optional upper track showing
stud retainer of the optional upper track.
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WO 94/11597 214836 J PCT/US93/10842 , s=
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Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustration framing utilizing upper and
lower track members of the present invention and stud members of the
present invention.
Fig. 8 is fragmentary perspective view of the tabs of a head stock
for door or window framing.
Fig. 9 is a detail view of a typical opening for receiving an angle
member which will connect adjacent stud members in an interlocking
relationship.
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side view of a stud member of this
invention is made and in which typical construction aids have been
stamped.
Fig. 11 is a side view showing the initial insertion of retaining clips
of an electrical conduit box into the receiving slot of the stud.
Fig. 12 is a side view showing an electrical conduit box mounted to
a stud member.
Fig. 13 is a plan view showing a self locking furring channel
mounting strip construction aid.
Fig. 14 is a side view showing the self locking furring channel
mounting strip construction aid.
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WO 94/11597 PCT/US93/10842
2 14836~
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Fig. 15 is a fragmentary top view of a flat metallic plate from which
a track member of this invention is made in which typical locking slots
have been stamped.
Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a stud member taken along line
A-A in Fig. 10.
Fig. 1.7 is a detail view of a typical access opening at the lower end
of the stud through which various utility conduits can pass.
Fig. 18 is a detail view of showing typical openings for clips to
retain an electrical outlet boxes.
Fig. 19 is a detail view of a conduit passageway for electrical
conduit.
Fig. 20 is a detail view of slots for receiving end tabs of header
stock for window and door framing.
Fig. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating the method of producing the
track members of this invention.
Fig. 22 is a flow diagram illustrating the computer aided
manufacturing method and apparatus of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For a better understanding of the present invention together with
other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is
WO 94/11597 2 1 4 '= U ~ ~ PCT/US93/10842
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{
made
to the following detailed description and appended claims in
connection with the above summary of the invention and the brief
description of the drawings.
The track and stud members are preferably made from galvanized
steel However, any fire resistant metal sheet can be used which can be
formed into the required shape without the creation of undue stress in the
member. A typical preferred material is a sheet of 16 gage galvanized
steel. In many instances the track members will be produced in a
standard length, such as 12 feet, and transported to the job site,
however, as hereafter described, portable on-site production equiprnent
can be used to fabricate the track members from a roll of galvanized steel.
The portable production facility is particularly useful when the amount of
framing exceeds about 20,000 linear feet.
A typical roll of suitable metallic sheet from which the track
members are fabricated will have a preferred a width of about 12 inches.
In a similar fashion, the stud members can also be formed from a flat
sheet having a typical width of about 7 inches.
With particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a lower track member 10
has a first wall section 12, and a second substantially identical and
parallel vertical wall section 14 that form opposing vertical walls of the
track. A first horizontal base sectiort 16 and a second horizontal base
section 18 receives flange sections 20, 21 of the stud member 22. The
first base section 16 and the second base section 18 are fabricated
sufficiently narrow to prevent the stud member 22 from moving
appreciably in the transverse direction. The base sections, 16, 18 project
WO 94/11597 PCT/US93/10842;;...
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at about 90 from corresponding adjacent wall sections 12, 16 at the-
extremities A, J. A first vertical intermediate member 24 projects from
extremity B of adjacent base section 16. A second vertical intermediate
member 26 which is substantially identical to first vertical intermediate
member 24 projects from the corresponding extremity I of the second
base section 18. Both intermediate members have a transverse cross-
sections in the shape of the sides 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d and tops 28a, 28b
of truncated isosceles triangles. A third horizontal base section 29
extends between the vertical intermediate members 24 and 26. Thus, as
is portrayed in Fig. 2 the track member 10 is a W-shaped member. The
first intermediate member has a locking slot 30 as shown in detail in Fig.
3. The second intermediate member 26 has a similar locking slot 32.
The locking slots 30, 32 receive and retain portions 34, 36 of the
transverse stud member 22. A series of serrations extending from locking
slot 30 form a series of locking teeth; 38 a-d, 39 a-d, 40 a-d and 41 a-d,
which enable a lower portion 34 of stud member 22 to be inserted and
retained in locking slot 30. In similar fashion another lower portion 36 of
stud member 22 is retained in locking slot 32. An upper track member
37, Fig. 7 has a configuration similar to the lower track member 10 and
receives and retains corresponding upper extremities of the stud member
22 similar to the lower track member 10. The combination of the upper
and lower track members having locking slots similar to those shown as
30, 32 in Fig. 1 and 3 and the first and second base members similar to
those shown as 16, 18 iri Fig. 2 prevent the stud members,from moving
vertically, horizontally or longitudinally. Additionally, the upper and lower
track members and the stud members can be assembled and moved into a
desired position thereby reducing the time required for constructing wall
framing of a building.
= PCT/US93/10842
WO 94/11597 21 4 8 3 5;
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I
With particular reference to the fragmental views of Fig. 4 and top
view Fig. 16, the U-shaped stud member has parallel wall sections 38, 40
with a transition section 42 connecting wall sections 38, 40. As is
shown in Fig. 4 the stud member is inserted into an alternate upper track
44. With particular reference to Fig. 5 and 6, the alternate upper track 44
has vertical walls 45, 46 and upper track transition section 47 between
the walls 45, 46. Stud retaining means 48a, 48b project from wall 45.
In a similar manner stud retaining means 49a, 49b project from wall 46
and are aligned with the stud retaining means 48a, 48b of wall 45
thereby enabling the wall sections 48, 40 of stud member 22 to be
inserted between the stud retaining means 48a, 48b, 49a and 49b.
With particular reference to Fig. 7 there is shown a wall framing
segment 50 utilizing the concepts of this invention. Lower track member
20 receives and retains a plurality of stud members 22a through 22e. An
upper track member 37, substantially identical to lower track member 10,
receives stud members 22a through 22e. Angle reinforcing members 52a
and 52b interlock stud members 22a, 22b and 22c. Similarly, angle
reinforcing members 52c and 52d interlock stud members 22c and 22d, a
door framing member 54 interconnects stud members 52c and 52d.
Fig. 8 is an end segment of door framing member 54 in which tabs
56a and 56b are inserted into slots 58a and 58b of stud 22c. The slots
in the stud are described viiith 'reference to Fig. 20 herein. Similar tabs
fit
into slots in stud 22d and the opposing end of door framing member 54.
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With particular reference to Fig. 9 there is shown an opening 60 in
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stud member 22 which receives and retains angle reinforcing member 54.
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WO 94/11597 PCT/US93/10842=-
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With particular reference to Fig. 10, there is shown a fragment-ery
side view of a stud member 22. On access openings 62a and 62b which
are described in detail in Fig. 17 are a substantially centered in the
transition section 42, conduit box receiving stations 64, 66, which are
described in detail with reference to Fig. 18 are vertically aligned and are
at about 18 inches and 48 inches respectively from the lower end 68 of
stud 22. Conduit passageways 70, 72 are detailed with respect to Fig.
19. Opening 60 which was described in detail with respect to Fig. 9 and
framing slots 58a, 58b.
With particular reference to Fig. 11 the upper conduit box tab 74
2s inserted into upper slot 75 of the conduit box receiving station. After
the initial insertion as shown in Fig. 11, the box is rotated so that lower
conduit box tab 76 can be inserted in lower slot 77 as shown in Fig. 12.
After insertion of the lower conduit box tab 76, the conduit box 78 is
lowered and the box 78 is mounted on side of stud 22.
With particular reference to Figs. 13 and 14 there is shown a
construction aid that can be used in conjunction with internal wall
construction. While the construction aid is shown with respect to
mounting upon a masonry or concrete wall which often are not true so
that if an internal wall is mounted in a conventional manner the wall will
not be true or level with respect to the other wall, the ceiling or the floor
of the room. Construction aid comprises strip 80 having projections 82,
84 that provide for receiving and retaining transverse member 86 having a
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relatively flat surface. Strip 80 is anchored to the underlying wall by
anchoring means 87, 88. Shims, not shown, can be used at the
anchoring means to provide a surface of member 86 that will enable the
WO 94/11597 214 8 36 J PCT/US93/10842
}
internal wall mounted thereupon to be true, thereby enabling the internal
wall to be in the proper geometric relationship.
With particular reference to Fig. 15, there is shown a fragmentary
pian view of a metallic plate 88, such as 16 gage galvanized steel, in
which a series of locking slots 30 a-k and 32 a-k are cut the slots are
described in detail above with particular reference Fig. 3. A spacing "d, "
is shown. The spacings are chosen to enable the studs to have the
appropriate spacing to provide construction flexibility. A spacing of 2
inches is preferred. The plate 88, after the locking slots have been cut, is
heated to a metal deforming temperature and in a series of passes the
plate is bent at dotted lines A-A through J-J to form a track having an end
view as shown in Fig. 2. The metal deformation produces a track having
wall sections 12, 14, first and second base sections 16, 18 and
intermediate sections 24, 26, and a third base section 28.
With particular reference to Fig. 16, a cross section taken along line
A-A of Fig. 10 the U-shaped metallic stud member 22 has first and
second spaced apart parallel wall sections 38, 40 extending the length of
the member, a t-ansition section 42 is perpendicular to and connecting
the wail sections 38, 40 at the extremities 43a, 43b of each wall section
38, 40. Flange sections 20, 21 project perpendicular from corresponding
wall sections 38, 40. As shown in Fig. 10, the transition section 42 has
various constr'uction aids'at predetermined locations along 'the length
thereof.
With particular reference to Fig. 17, there is shown a detail view of
typical access openings 62. The openings are at the lower and upper
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WO 94/11597 PCT/US93/10842 ,:. ~.
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2118363 -12- ;
ends respectively of the transition section 42 of stud member 22. The
openings as shown in Fig. 10 as 62a, 62b enable the various utility
conduits such as water pipes and the like to pass through stud member
22.
With particular reference to Fig. 18, conduit box receiver station
64, comprises vertically aligned conduit box tab receiving means 88a,
89a which also contain upper and lower slots 75, 77 for receiving tabs
} from a conduit box 78 as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Another pair of
identical means 88b and 89b are located at the opposite side of the
transition section 64 of the stud member 22 so that electrical conduit
boxes can be mounted for access to either side of the wall that is formed
on either side of the framing.
With particular reference to Fig. 19 opening 72 in stud 22 is of a
sufficient size to enable electrical conduit to be passed through the stud
member 22.
With particular reference to Fig. 20 slots 58a and 58b are sized to
receive and retain tab 56a and 56b of the wall opening framing 54,
shown as a door 53 in Fig. 7. If desired, however, similar framing can be
used to provide opening for windows.
Fig. 21 illustrates the proce'ss of forming the metallic track
members of this invention. A sheet of metallic material such as
galvanized steel, cold rolled steel, aluminum, or other metals and metal
alloys can be used. The flat metallic sheet material, typically 12 inches in
width can be used from a spool or reel. The flat sheet, after being
0'V094/11597 ~ PCT/US93/10842
214836~~
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unwound from the spool or reel is stamped at step 92 to produce locking
slots as shown in Fig. 3 thereby producing a strip of material as shown in
Fig. 15. A first series of indicants are placed at intervals of 24 inches
starting at one end of the stamped sheet. A second series of indicants
are placed at intervals of 12 inches starting at 12 inches from the same
end of the stamped sheet. A third set of indicants are placed at intervals
of 16 inches starting at 16 inches from the same end of the stamped
sheet. A simple method of providing indicants is to use paint wheels that
mark a distinctive line or mark for each series of indicants. For example,
a 1/4" black line can be used for the first series of indicants, 3/16" red
lines for the second series of indicants and 1/8" yellow lines for the third
series of indicants are suitable.
With particular reference to Fig. 22 the construction design input of
the particular building to be built is programmed, either downloaded from
the CAD system used to design the building or programmed manually and
fed into the computer processing station 101 which yields a series of
outputs.
The data relating to the pressure required to stamp a particular
metal sheet being processed, which will be dependent upon the thickness
of the metal and the material of construction, can be processed and fed
to the pressure controller 103. The pressure controller 103 can regulate
the stamping station 92 and as explained previously, indicants at
preselected locations are useful to assist in the construction. The data for
the linear repetitive location of the series of indicants can be processed
and fed to location controller 104 which will operate the marking device
94 which will locate the first, second and third sets of indicants on the
WO 94/11597 PCT/US93/10842,
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sheet. The configuration of the track, whether of the type shown in Fig.
2 or the type shown in Fig. 5 is programmed and inputted into the
computer processing station 101. The output from the computer
processing station provided shape controller 105 which signals the
bending wheel station, used to shape the flat sheet into the desired
configuration. The input from the design of the building is used to
program the length of each segment of track member that is required.
The computer station 101 feeds the data to the locating control 106
which provides the desired signals to the severing station 98 that
provides a shearing action to cut the processed track member to the
lengths required in the building design. Additionally, the input from the
building design can be used to provide outputs from the computer
processing station to provide the locations of the locking slots. Thus, the
location of the studs at the standard spacing can be designed as well as
the location and width of wall openings such as doors, windows, floor to
ceiling openings can also be fed into the manufacturing design of the
track members.
A metallic sheet holding means such as a spool or reel holds the
metallic strip prior to the sheet being fed to metal stamper 92 wherein a
series of locking slots as shown in Fig. 15 as 30 a-k and 32 a-k are
stamped at intervals d,, as shown on Fig. 15. The distance d, is 2 inches
as an example, however, d, can be varied as desired to give design
flexibility. For exampie, in countries in which the metric system is used
the distance d, can be varied from about 50 cm to about 100 cm to give
a suitable design variability. The metal strip 108 is thereafter fed to a
marking device 111 containing three retractable paint wheels 1 1 2 , 1 13
and 114. As described with reference to Fig. 21, the paint wheels are
WO 94/11597 2 1 A ~ ~ ~ ~ PCT/US93/.16842 ~..:,
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lowered {
at a prescribed location to provide three separate series of
indicants. Each indicant is spaced equal distance from an adjacent
indicant of the same type as was described with reference to Fig. 21.
After indicants have been marked on metal strip by paint wheels the strip
is fed to a seaming press that provides seams prior to bending. The flat
strip enters a series of bending wheels which in a series of 10 bends
changes the profile to a track 10 as shown in profile in Fig. 2. The track
is sheared at a predetermined length. The shearing to produce the desired
length can be after the bending thus enabling the metal strip to be in
tension to convey the material through the various work stations. After
the work is performed the formed track can be cut to the desired length
l,, such as 12 feet. If desired the flat strip can be cut to length I, at any
location prior to the last forming location. The metal forming production
unit can be either self-propelled or can be transported to the job site by
an external means such as a tractor.
While there have been shown what are considered to be the
preferred embodiments of the invention, other and further modification
may occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.
~~.
