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Portable hemming apparatus and methodRelated Patent Categories: Metal Working, Method Of Mechanical Manufacture, Assembling Or Joining, Joining By DeformingPortable hemming apparatus and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060053616, Portable hemming apparatus and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the priority of provisional application 60/392,016 filed Jun. 26, 2002. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates to the field of hemming one or more performed metal panels together to form a hemmed joint or closed panel, and more particularly to an improved apparatus and method for completing the hemming procedure. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is known in the art relating to hemming to use a conventional press structure as the hemming device. It is also known to transport the metal panels to be hemmed to the hemming device itself. This is undesirable because it is difficult to interchange hemming devices to hem different types of metal panels and because the panels must be moved directly into the hemming device. It is further a newly known method of hemming to recognize a set of metal panels (a "workpiece") and to move a corresponding hemming die to the workpiece. This is an improvement over the conventional method, but still fails to solve the problem that hemming devices are large, heavy, difficult to move, difficult to change with regards to the hemming die, and expensive to produce and maintain. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention provides a portable hemming apparatus for performing both hemming and pre-hemming of metal panels on a final assembly line or a pre-assembly work cell. The hemming apparatus has the advantage of being more compact in size, lightweight, and portable than other similar apparatus. Thus, the present hemming apparatus can be transported to metal panels by mounting it to a robot, hanging it from a manually operated tool balancer, or integrating it into other tooling to act as a secondary operation. The portability of the hemming apparatus allows it to be integrated into a final assembly line or a pre-assembly work cell. Alternatively, the hemming apparatus can be mounted on a pedestal stand or other similar structure if it is instead desired to transport metal panels to the apparatus. [0005] According to the invention the hemming apparatus is constructed using standardized hemming modules. This has the further advantage of allowing for low cost manufacturing as well as design flexibility to fit various hem profiles. The hemming apparatus can carry a complete die set required for both pre and final hemming operations for a specific metal panel style. Alternatively, the hemming apparatus can carry a mixed die set, thus allowing for hemming and pre-hemming of various metal panel styles. The hemming apparatus is powered with one or more pneumatic spring drives. This powering method has the advantage of eliminating the need for expensive, complicated, and heavy alignment mechanisms and structures as well as greatly reducing maintenance costs associated with traditional guide mechanisms, air cylinders, and especially hydraulic systems. [0006] More specifically a portable hemming apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a support structure to which modular hemmers and pneumatic drives are attached. Each modular hemmer includes a fixed hem die holder, a hem die attached to the hem die holder and a movable hem punch. Hemmer operators are operatively connected to the modular hemmers by a lever arm assembly. Actuation of the pneumatic drive moves the hemmer operator which correspondingly closes and opens the hem punch in relation to the hem die, causing the desired hemming to take place. [0007] These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] In the drawings: [0009] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a portable hemming apparatus according to the invention illustrating a retracted position of the apparatus; [0010] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the portable hemming apparatus illustrated in an extended hemming position of the apparatus; [0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a complete portable hemming apparatus according to the invention in the retracted position; [0012] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating one distinct arrangement of hemmer modules that forms part of the present portable hemming apparatus; [0013] FIG. 5 is another plan view illustrating another distinct arrangement of hemmer modules that forms part of the present portable hemming apparatus; [0014] FIG. 6 is yet another plan view illustrating another distinct arrangement of hemmer modules that forms part of the present portable hemming apparatus; [0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a portable hemming apparatus in accordance with the invention mounted to a robot arm; [0016] FIG. 8 is an environmental perspective view of portable hemming apparatus of FIG. 7 mounted to a robot arm approaching a metal panel; [0017] FIG. 9 is an environmental perspective view of portable hemming apparatus of FIG. 7 mounted to a robot arm and nearly in position with respect to the metal panel, while the pre-hem die set of the apparatus is oriented towards the metal panel; [0018] FIG. 10 is an environmental perspective view of the portable hemming apparatus of FIG. 7 mounted to a robot arm in working position with respect to the metal panel, while the pre-hem die set of the apparatus is oriented towards the metal panel; [0019] FIG. 11 is an environmental perspective view of the portable hemming apparatus mounted to a robot arm nearly in position with respect to the metal panel, while the apparatus is rotated so that the final hem die set of the apparatus is oriented towards the metal panel; Continue reading about Portable hemming apparatus and method... Full patent description for Portable hemming apparatus and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Portable hemming apparatus and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Portable hemming apparatus and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method for the production of an air restrictor and machine incorporating the air restrictor Next Patent Application: Method and device for the continuous production of metallic strips Industry Class: Metal working ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Portable hemming apparatus and method patent info. 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