Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SEAM LOCKING APPARATUS
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for joining and
locking two pieces
of sheet metal together with a mechanical seam.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Seams are used in the ductwork of HVAC systems to join sheet metal
panels together. In a
Pittsburgh seam, a portion of a first sheet metal panel is folded over to form
a pocket for receiving a
flange of a second sheet metal panel. Once the flange is inserted into the
pocket, a second portion
of the first sheet metal panel is bent over the flange and pocket to lock the
flange in the pocket. In
this manner a seam is formed between the first and second sheet metal panels
that inhibits
separation of the first and second sheet metal panels. Often the second
portion is bent over the
flange and pocket using a common hand tool such as a hammer. For example, a
person forming the
seam may use the hammer to bend a portion of the seam at a time. This process
may be both labor
and time intensive, reducing the efficiency of the process of locking the
seam.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] In an aspect, a system, apparatus, and method described herein for
joining a first sheet metal
panel to a second sheet metal panel through a mechanical seam, for example, by
applying a
pneumatic air hammer to a locking apparatus while sliding the locking
apparatus along a flange of
the first sheet metal panel. The locking apparatus powered by the pneumatic
air hammer quickly
and securely locks the first sheet metal panel to the second sheet metal panel
by bending the flange
of the first sheet metal panel over a flange of the second sheet metal panel
that is inserted into a
pocket of the first sheet metal panel.
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[0004] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a locking apparatus for
securing a first sheet metal
panel to a second sheet metal panel is disclosed. The locking apparatus
includes an elongate body, a
proximal portion extending proximally from the elongate body and configured
for removable
attachment to a pneumatic air hammer, and a distal portion extending distally
from the elongate
body. The distal portion includes a forming surface that is configured to
engage against a flange of
the first sheet metal panel. The forming surface is configured to bend the
flange of the first sheet
metal panel over a pocket of the first sheet metal panel when the pneumatic
air hammer is activated
to inhibit removal of a flange of the second sheet metal panel from the
pocket. The distal portion
further includes a guide surface that is configured to engage against a
surface of the first sheet metal
panel to guide the forming surface along the flange of the first sheet metal
panel.
[0005] In some aspects, the forming surface includes an arcuate portion.
[0006] In another aspect, the elongate body may define a longitudinal axis.
The forming surface
may include a planar portion defining a plane perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis. The arcuate
portion may extend from the planar portion.
[0007] In yet another aspect, a width of the planar portion may be less than a
width of the arcuate
portion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and parallel to
the guide surface.
[0008] In another aspect, the arcuate portion may curve proximally away from
the planar portion. A
radius of curvature of the arcuate portion may be defined from a point on the
longitudinal axis
proximal of the planar portion.
[0009] In some aspects, the guide surface may extend distally beyond the
forming surface.
[0010] In another aspect, the guide surface is a planar surface.
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. .
[0011] In yet another aspect, the guide surface may be orthogonal to at least
a portion of the forming
surface and parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the elongate body.
[0012] In another aspect, a fillet may be defined between the guide surface
and at least a portion of
the forming surface.
[0013] In other aspects, the guide surface and the forming surface may be
integrally formed.
[0014] In an aspect, a method for securing a first sheet metal panel to a
second sheet metal panel is
disclosed. The method includes inserting a flange of the second sheet metal
panel into a pocket of
the first sheet metal panel, positioning a locking apparatus against the first
sheet metal panel such
that a forming surface of the locking apparatus engages against a flange of
the first sheet metal
panel and a guide surface of the locking apparatus engages against a surface
of the first sheet metal
panel, driving the locking apparatus against the first sheet metal panel such
that the forming surface
engages the flange of the first sheet metal panel and bends the flange of the
first sheet metal panel
over the flange of the second sheet metal panel. The bending of the flange of
the first sheet metal
panel over the flange of the second sheet metal panel inhibits removal of the
flange of the second
sheet metal panel from the pocket.
[0015] In some aspects, driving the locking apparatus against the first sheet
metal panel includes
sliding the locking apparatus along the flange of the first sheet metal panel
from a first portion to a
second portion of the flange. The sliding may be guided by the engagement of
the guide surface
against the surface of the first sheet metal panel. The second portion of the
flange of the first sheet
metal panel may be bent as the locking apparatus slides along the flange from
the first portion to the
second portion of the flange of the first sheet metal panel.
[0016] In another aspect, the forming surface includes at least one arcuate
portion. The sliding of
the locking apparatus may include engaging the at least one arcuate portion
against the second
portion of the flange of the first sheet metal panel.
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. .
[0017] In some aspects, a proximal portion of the locking apparatus is
configured for removable
attachment to a pneumatic air hammer.
[0018] In yet another aspect, the locking apparatus is translatable relative
to the pneumatic air
hammer between a first position and a second position when removably attached
to the pneumatic
air hammer. The locking apparatus may extend farther from the pneumatic air
hammer when in the
first positions than when in the second position. The positioning the locking
apparatus against the
first sheet metal panel further including positioning the locking apparatus
against the flange of the
first sheet metal panel with the locking apparatus in the first position and
translating the locking
apparatus to at least the second position while positioned against the flange
of the first sheet metal
panel prior to driving the locking apparatus against the first sheet metal
panel.
[0019] In another aspect, driving the locking apparatus against the first
sheet metal panel includes
activating the pneumatic air hammer to drive the locking apparatus against the
first sheet metal
panel.
[0020] In some aspects, the guide surface is a planar surface.
[0021] In yet another aspect, the guide surface is orthogonal to at least a
portion of the forming
surface and parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the locking apparatus.
[0022] In another aspect, a fillet is defined between the guide surface and at
least a portion of the
forming surface.
[0023] In some aspects, the guide surface and the forming surface are
integrally formed.
[0024] Any of the above aspects may be combined in any manner without
departing from the scope
of the present disclosure.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The details of the present disclosure, both as to its structure and
operation, can best be
understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numbers and
designations refer to like elements.
[0026] Figs. IA and 1B illustrate images of a locking system in accordance
with some aspects of
the present disclosure.
[0027] Fig. 2 is a front view of a locking apparatus of the system of Fig. 1.
[0028] Fig. 3 is a side view of the locking apparatus of Fig. 2.
[0029] Fig. 4 is a top view of the locking apparatus of Fig. 2.
[0030] Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the locking apparatus of Fig. 2.
[0031] Fig. 6 is an image of first and second sheet panels in accordance with
an aspect of the
present disclosure.
[0032] Fig. 7 is another image of first and second sheet panels in accordance
with an aspect of the
present disclosure, taken from a different angle.
[0033] Figs. 8 and 9 are images of the first and second sheet panels of Fig. 6
with the locking
apparatus of Fig. 2 positioned against a flange of the first sheet panel while
in the first position
relative to the pneumatic air hammer, taken from different angles.
[0034] Figs. 10 and 11 are images of the first and second sheet panels of Fig.
6 with the locking
apparatus of Fig. 2 positioned against a flange of the first sheet panel while
in the second position
relative to the pneumatic air hammer, taken from different angles.
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[0035] Figs. 12 and 13 are images of the first and second sheet panels of Fig.
6 with the locking
apparatus of Fig. 2 sliding along the flange of the first sheet panel to bend
the flange over the
pockets and flange of the second sheet panel, taken from different angles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] With reference now to Figs. lA and 1B, a sheet metal seam locking
system 100 is illustrated
including a locking apparatus 110 and a pneumatic air hammer 150.
[0037] With reference to Figs. 1A, 1B, and 2-5, locking apparatus 110 includes
an elongate body
112 having a proximal portion 120 and a distal portion 130. In an aspect, body
112 extends in a
longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis 114.
[0038] Proximal portion 120 includes a proximal end 122 and a flange or lip
124. Proximal portion
120 is configured for removable attachment to pneumatic air hammer 150. For
example, proximal
portion 120 may be inserted into an opening (not shown) in an attachment
collar 152 of pneumatic
air hammer 150 and secured to pneumatic air hammer 150, e.g., using friction
fit, snap fit, or any
other manner of removable attachment. In some aspects, locking apparatus 110
may be removably
attached to pneumatic air hammer 150 in a floating manner where, for example,
locking apparatus
110 may be translatable relative to air hammer 150, e.g., along axis 114.
[0039] In some aspects, pneumatic air hammer 150 may include any medium barrel
air hammer. In
some aspects, for example, pneumatic air hammer 150 may be any type or size of
air hammer or
any other apparatus that is configured to drive locking apparatus 110 distally
using air pressure or
any other form of pressure or method of driving locking apparatus 110
distally, mechanical or
otherwise. In some aspects, for example, pneumatic air hammer 150 may be
configured to apply
pressure at 70 PSI to locking apparatus 110.
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[0040] With reference now to Figs. 2-5, distal portion 130 of locking
apparatus 110 extends distally
from flange or lip 124 and includes a forming portion 132 and a guide portion
134.
[0041] Forming portion 132 includes a forming surface 136 that is configured
to engage against a
flange 612 (Fig. 6) of a duct sheet 602 (Fig. 6) to bend or form the flange
612 over an opening 606
of the duct sheet 602.
[0042] In some aspects, a portion of forming surface 136 may define an arcuate
curvature. For
example, as illustrated in Fig. 2, forming surface 136 may include a planar
portion 136A and arcuate
portions 136B and 136C extending from the planar portion 136A.
[0043] In some aspects, planar portion 136A may define a plane that is
perpendicular to axis 114.
[0044] In some aspects, arcuate portions 136B and 136C may define arcs that
curve proximally
away from planar portion 136A. For example, each arcuate portion 136B and 136C
may define a
radius relative to a point on axis 122 that is proximal to planar portion
136A. Arcuate portions
136B and 136C may allow locking apparatus 110 to slide along a piece of sheet
metal during
forming of a seam.
[0045] Guide portion 134 includes a guide surface 138 that extends distally
beyond forming surface
136 to a first end 138A. Guide surface 138 is configured to engage against a
surface of a sheet
metal panel 602 (Fig. 6) to guide locking apparatus 110 along sheet metal
panel 602 (Fig. 6) while
forming surface 136 bends a flange 612 (Fig. 6) of sheet metal panel 602 (Fig.
6) over a pocket 606
(Fig. 6) of sheet metal panel 602 (Fig. 6) as will be described in more detail
below. In some aspects,
guide surface 138 may be a planar surface and may define a plane orthogonal to
the plane of planar
surface 136A. In some aspects, distal portion 130 may define a fillet 140
(Fig. 3) between forming
surface 136 and guide surface 138. For example, the fillet 140 may be between
planar portion
136A, arcuate portions 136B and 136C, and guide surface 138 as illustrated in
Fig. 3.
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. .
[0046] In some aspects, a width of each arcuate portion 136B and 136C may be
greater than a width
of planar portion 136A in a direction A (Fig. 2) that is perpendicular to axis
114 and parallel to
guide surface 138. For example, the width of each arcuate portion 136B and
136C may be about
twice the width of planar portion 136A in direction A (Fig. 2). For example, a
width of planar
portion 136A in direction A may be about .266 inches while a width of each
arcuate portion 136B
and 136C may be about .492 inches. Other relative widths between planar
portion 136A and
arcuate portions 136B and 136C may also be used.
[0047] In some aspects, locking apparatus 110 may be manufactured, for
example, from A2 tool
steel and hardened to inhibit ware during use.
[0048] In some aspects, locking apparatus 110 may be coated with an electro
plate finish that may
reduce wear and tear on the forming surface 136, guide surface 138, and any
other surfaces of
locking apparatus 110 during use. In some aspects, the finish may be black or
any other color.
[0049] With reference now to Figs. 6 and 7, a pair of sheet metal panels 602
and 610 are illustrated.
Sheet metal panel 602 includes a portion 604 that is bent to form a pocket
606. A flange 112
extends from pocket 606 and is configured to be bent over pocket 606. Sheet
metal panel 610
includes a flange 608 that is configured for insertion into pocket 606 of
sheet metal panel 602.
Once flange 608 is inserted into pocket 606, flange 612 may be bent over
pocket 606 and flange 608
to secure flange 612 within pocket 606 such that flange 612 inhibits removal
of flange 608 from
pocket 606. This process forms a mechanical seam between sheet metal panels
602 and 612,
sometimes called a Pittsburgh seam or a Pittsburgh lock.
[0050] With reference now to Figs. 8-13, a method of forming a mechanical seam
between two
sheet metal panels is illustrated.
[0051] Referring initially to Figs. 8 and 9, sheet metal plates 602 and 610
are positioned such that
flange 608 is inserted into pocket 606. Locking apparatus 110 is attached to
pneumatic air hammer
150 as described above. For example, locking apparatus 110 may be secured
within an opening (not
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shown) of pneumatic air hammer 150 and translatable relative to air hammer 150
while removal of
locking apparatus 110 from pneumatic air hammer 150 is inhibited, e.g., by
flange 124.
[0052] As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, locking apparatus 110 is positioned
against the seam to be
formed between sheet metal panels 602 and 608. For example, forming surface
136 of locking
apparatus 110 may be positioned against flange 612 with guide surface 138
engaging against a
surface 614 of sheet metal panel 602.
[0053] With locking apparatus 110 in position, a distal pressure may be
applied to pneumatic air
hammer 150, e.g., by a user, as illustrated, for example, in Figs. 10 and 11
such that pneumatic air
hammer 150 translates relative to locking apparatus 110 in the distal
direction until the proximal
portion 120 of locking apparatus 110 is fully received within the opening (not
shown) of pneumatic
air hammer 150. The distal pressure is then applied from pneumatic air hammer
150 to locking
apparatus 110 such that locking apparatus 110 applies pressure against flange
612 of sheet metal
panel 602.
[0054] With continued reference to Figs. 10 and 11, pneumatic air hammer 150
is activated to drive
locking apparatus 110 distally against flange 612, e.g., by depressing a
trigger or other actuating
mechanism. As locking apparatus 110 is driven distally against flange 612,
flange 612 deforms
against forming surface 136 to form a locking portion 616 (Figs. 12 and 13)
that inhibits removal
of flange 608 from pocket 606. For example, forming surface 136 may bend
locking portion
over flange 608 and pocket 606 to form locking portion 616.
[0055] With reference now to Figs. 12 and 13, while continuing to activate
pneumatic air
hammer 150, the user may slide or translate locking apparatus 110 along flange
612 to continue
bending flange 612 over pocket 606 and flange 608 to form locking portion 616
along the entire
length of flange 612. For example, the guide surface 138 of locking apparatus
110 may engage
against surface 614 of the sheet metal panel 602 and guide locking apparatus
110 along the
surface 614 as the locking apparatus 110 slides or translates along flange 612
during activation
of pneumatic air hammer 150. As locking apparatus 110 slides or translates
along flange 612,
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,
forming surface 136 engages flange 612 to form locking portion 616. In some
aspects, arcuate
portions 136B and 136C of forming surface 136 may facilitate the smooth
sliding or translation
of locking apparatus 110 along flange 612 while planar surface 136A engages
flange 612 to form
locking portion 616. In some aspects, arcuate portions 136B and 136C may also
or alternatively
be used to engage against flange 612 and form locking potion 616.
[0056] Once a sufficient length of flange 612 has been bent or formed into
locking portion 616,
the seam has been created and removal of the sheet metal panel 602 from the
sheet metal panel
610 is mechanically inhibited, e.g., by a Pittsburgh style seam or lock. In
some aspects, the
sufficient length may be the entire length of flange 612. In some aspects, the
sufficient length
may be any desired length that inhibits removal of flange 608 from pocket 606,
e.g., during
normal use of the HVAC duct.
[0057] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been
described, it will be
understood by those of skill in the art that there are other embodiments that
are equivalent to the
described embodiments. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention
is not to be
limited by the specific illustrated embodiments, but only by the scope of the
appended claims.
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