Curved wall and ceiling frame member and method and apparatus for producing the same

Abstract

Method and apparatus for producing a predetermining curvature in the flange and web of a structural member including an indexing mechanism and method for controlling the amount of curvature produced.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for producing a curved frame member for a curved wall or ceiling structure comprising 
 means for supporting a member to be curved wherein said member includes a flange and a web portion,    a flange indenting die for engaging and producing an indentation in said flange    a web indenting die generally aligned with the flange indenting die to produce an indentation in the web in substantial registration with the indentation produced in the flange and thus produce a predetermined increment of curvature in the frame member,    and means for moving the dies into and out of indenting position.    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus for producing a curved frame member of the type having a web and a flange for a curved wall or ceiling structure comprising 
 a base,    a work supporting platform mounted on the base and having a guide track for supporting and guiding an elongated frame member to be curved,    a shaft generally parallel to the track and journaled on said base in spaced relation thereabove and having an operating handle fixed thereto to rotate said shaft,    a flange indenting die connected with said handle for indenting a flange of a frame member supported on said track,    a web indenting die aligned with the flange indenting die to produce an indentation in the web portion of the frame member adjacent to the flange indentation and aligned therewith to produce [the desired] a predetermined increment of curvature in the frame member.    
     
     
         3 . The structure set forth in  claim 1  and a web piercing die operatively connected to said shaft for actuation thereby and aligned with the web of a channel supported on said base in predetermined spaced relation to the flange and web indenting dies to produce a web indexing cutout when the operating handle is actuated.  
     
     
         4 . The structure set forth in  claim 1  and a backup die aligned with the flange indenting die to support the portion of the flange adjacent to the indentation thereof during the indenting operation.  
     
     
         5 . The method of producing a curved frame member for a wall or ceiling structure, said method comprising, 
 initially supporting a member to be curved on a base member which includes spaced supporting elements,    mounting a frame member to be curved on the platform,    producing an indentation in the web of the member, and    producing an indentation in the flange of the member compatible with the indentation of the web to produce a curvature in the member and    limiting the indentation of the web and the flange to control the amount of curvature produced.    
     
     
         6 . The method for producing a predetermined curvature in a member having a web and flange, said method comprising, 
 providing a web indenting head and a flange indenting head,    actuating the heads to produce indentation in the web and flange of the member to be curved.    
     
     
         7 . The method set forth in  claim 6  and adjusting the degree of indentation in the web and flange to vary the amount of curvature in the member being curved.  
     
     
         8 . A structural frame member for a curved wall and ceiling structural unit, said frame member comprising a web portion with a flange portion connected thereto, a generally triangular indentation formed in the web portion, an indentation formed in said flange portion and communicating with the indentation in the web portion to produce a shortening of the member on the flange portion thereof and thus produce a predetermined curvature in the member.  
     
     
         9 . The structure set forth in  claim 8  and a cutout portion formed in said member adjacent the two indentations to facilitate the bending of the structure.  
     
     
         10 . The structure set forth in  claim 8  and a plurality of said web and flange indentations to provide the desired curved structural member.  
     
     
         11 . A device for curving flanged members comprising 
 a platform for supporting a flanged member to be curved,    an elongated main cross shaft mounted on the platform for rotary oscillation,    an operating handle connected with the cross shaft for producing rotary oscillation of the shaft,    a flange indenting blade mounted for sliding movement on the platform transversely of the shaft,    an actuating arm connected with the shaft to produce rotation thereof and also produce sliding movement of the blade into and out of indenting engagement with the flange of a member being curved,    a web indenting die aligned with the flange indenting blade and having an actuating connection with the die when the handle is forcibly oscillated downwardly,    an adjustment mechanism connected to the shaft and including a mounting arm assembly fixed to the shaft and positioned to engage the top surface of a flanged member being curved to control the indentation of the member and thus control the radius of curvature of the channel member.    
     
     
         12 . The structure set forth in  claim 11  and a marking die holder connected to the main cross shaft for oscillation therewith and positioned to produce an indexing mark on the top surface of the flanged member being curved.  
     
     
         13 . The structure set forth in  claim 11  and retaining means for releasably holding the handle in raised position but releasing the handle when downward pressure is exerted thereon.