Apparatus and method for frame crimping

Abstract

Described are embodiments of a portable crimping device for creating frame assemblies. The device includes in embodiments a rod that is movable from a first position to a second position. A head is connected to the rod, and a stud is connected to the head. When the rod is moved from the first position to the second position the stud engages a rail of a frame and deforms a portion of the rail, which secures a bracket in a channel of the rail. A second rail can then be secured to a second side of the bracket in a similar way to create a corner of a frame. The process can be repeated to generate an enclosed frame assembly for holding items such as photovoltaic panels.

1 . A portable device for creating indentations in at least one rail, the portable device comprising:
 a rod, wherein a first end of the rod is movable from a first position to a second position; and   a head connected to the first end of the rod; at least one stud connected to the head, wherein when the first end of the rod is moved to the second position, the at least one stud engages the at least one rail creating indentations on the at least one rail.   
     
     
         2 . The portable device of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring connected to the first end of the rod for moving the first end of the rod from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         3 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the rod is a piston rod that is part of a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . The portable device of  claim 3 , wherein the hydraulic cylinder is a double acting hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         5 . The portable device of  claim 3 , further comprising: a driving system for driving the hydraulic cylinder to move the first end of the piston rod from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The portable device of  claim 5 , wherein the driving system is a manual hydraulic pump. 
     
     
         7 . The portable device of  claim 5 , wherein the driving system is an automatic hydraulic pump. 
     
     
         8 . The portable device of  claim 3 , further comprising: at least one spring connected to the first end of the rod for moving the first end of the rod from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         9 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the head is connected to a block that is also connected to the first end of the rod. 
     
     
         10 . A portable handheld device for connecting two metal rails together, the portable handheld device comprising: a hydraulic cylinder comprising a rod, wherein a first end of the rod is movable from a first position to a second position; a head connected to the first end of the rod; at least one stud connected to the head, wherein when the hydraulic cylinder is activated, the first end of the rod is moved to the second position and the at least one stud engages a first rail. 
     
     
         11 . The portable handheld device of  claim 10 , further comprising: an angle for positioning metal rails. 
     
     
         12 . The portable handheld device of  claim 11 , wherein the head is positioned within an interior of the angle. 
     
     
         13 . The portable handheld device of  claim 13 , wherein the angle is a 90 degree angle. 
     
     
         14 . The portable handheld device of  claim 13 , further comprising: at least one spring connected to the first end of the rod for moving the first end of the rod from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         15 . The portable handheld device of  claim 12 , wherein the head further comprises a second stud. 
     
     
         16 . The portable handheld device of  claim 15 , wherein when the hydraulic cylinder is activated the first end of the rod is moved to the second position and the at least one stud engages a first rail and the second stud engages a second rail. 
     
     
         17 . A method for connecting two rails together, the method comprising: positioning a first rail and a second rail using an angle; positioning a first end of an L-shaped key into a first channel of the first rail; positioning a second end of an L-shaped key into a second channel of the second rail; securing the L-shaped key in the first channel and in the second channel using a portable crimping device, the portable crimping device comprising: a hydraulic cylinder comprising a rod, wherein a first end of the rod is movable from a first position to a second position; a head connected to the first end of the rod; at least one stud connected to the head, wherein when the hydraulic cylinder is activated, the first end of the rod is moved to the second position and the at least one stud engages and deforms a portion of the first rail. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the head of the portable crimping device is positioned within an interior of the angle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the angle is a 90 degree angle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein when the hydraulic cylinder is activated, the first end of the rod is moved to the second position and a second stud on the head engages and deforms a portion of the second rail.