Beaded opening in sheet metal framing member

Abstract

A punch ( 42 ) is used to form a circular opening ( 46 ) in the web ( 28 ) of a framing member ( 26 ). A first tool ( 50 ) is provided having a head ( 56 ) with a first end and a circular cross section that increases in diameter as it extends from the first end axially inwardly of the tool ( 50 ). The first end of this head ( 56 ) is inserted into the circular opening ( 46 ) and the tool ( 50 ) is rotated and is moved axially into the opening ( 46 ), for stretching the metal surrounding the opening ( 46 ) and forming a flare ( 60 ) that surrounds the opening ( 46 ). A second tool ( 62 ) is provided having a head ( 68 ) with a first end and a circular cross section that increases in diameter from the first end axially inwardly of the tool ( 62 ). The first end of this tool is inserted into the flare ( 60 ) from the second side of the web ( 28 ). The tool ( 62 ) is rotated and moved axially so that the head ( 68 ) will further stretch the metal surrounding the opening and form the flare ( 60 ) into a bead ( 60 ) that surrounds and become the periphery of the opening ( 46 ).

1 . A method of forming a beaded opening in a frame member having a web, comprising:
 forming an opening in the web of the framing member;   introducing a forming tool into the opening from a first side of the framing member, and using said tool to flare the metal immediately surround the opening;   causing said flare curving convexly from the first side of the framing member inwardly into the opening;   introducing a forming tool into the flare from the second side of the framing member and using said forming tool to reverse curl the flare and form it into a bead that becomes the periphery of the opening; and   causing said bead presenting a convexly rounded inner surface in the opening positioned to be contacted by any object that is inserted into and through the opening.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising supporting the framing member on a support member that includes a punch receiving opening;
 bringing a punch against the web on the side of the web opposite the support member;   positioning the punch in alignment with the opening in the support member; and   extending the punch to punch an opening through the web of the framing member, moving the punch through the punch opening in this support member.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising providing a frame member having a channel cross section composed of the web and two flanges, said web extending between and interconnecting the two flanges, and introducing the punch against the side of the web on which the flanges are located. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising introducing the first framing tool into the opening from the side of the web on which the flanges are located. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , comprising introducing the second forming tool into the flare from the side of the framing member opposite the flanges. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising forming a circular opening in the web and providing a tool with a head having a first end insertable of the circular opening and a circular cross section throughout its length which increases in diameter as it extends from the first end axially inwardly of the tool head, and rotating said tool and moving it axially into the circular opening for spin forming the flanges that surrounds the opening. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising providing a tool with a head having a first end and circular cross section increasing in diameter from the first end axially inwardly of the tool, and inserting the first end of such tool into the flared opening from the second side of the framing member and rotating said tool and moving it axially inwardly to form the flare into a bead that becomes the periphery of the opening. 
   
   
       8 . A framing member having a channel shape cross section formed by a pair of spaced apart flanges and a web that extends between and interconnects common edges of the flanges;
 at least one beaded opening formed in the web of the framing member, said beaded opening being circular at its center and having a bead at its periphery;   said bead curving convexly as it extends from one side of the web into the opening and then curving convexly from the center of the opening as it continues to extend away from the web, whereby the beaded opening presents a rounded convex surface leading into the opening followed by a rounded convex surface leading out from the opening.   
   
   
       9 . The framing member of  claim 7 , where in the bead is on the side of the web that is opposite the spaced apart flanges. 
   
   
       10 . The framing member of  claim 7 , comprising a plurality of axially spaced apart beaded openings formed in the web of the framing member. 
   
   
       11 . The framing member of  claim 9 , where in the beads are on the side of the web that is opposite the spaced apart flanges.