Apparatus for curving metal stud track

Abstract

An apparatus and method for creating a curved shape of a stud track are provided. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include a first and a second support rail. The first and second support rails may be spaced from one another and may be generally parallel. Each support rail may include a flange slot configured to receive a first flange of a stud track. A web crimping feature may be movable between a first position at least partially disposed between the first and second support rails and a second position at least partially spaced from the first and second support rails. The apparatus may also include a flange crimping feature movable between a first position at least partially disposed between the first and second support rails and a second position at least partially spaced from the first and second support rails.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first and a second support rail, the first and second support rails being spaced from one another and being generally parallel, each support rail including a flange slot configured to receive a first flange of a stud track;   a web crimping feature movable between a first position at least partially disposed between the first and second support rails and a second position at least partially spaced from the first and second support rails; and   a flange crimping feature movable between a first position at least partially disposed between the first and second support rails and a second position at least partially spaced from the first and second support rails.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a baseplate, the first and second support rails being affixed to, and upstanding relative to, the baseplate. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second support rails further include at least a second flange slot configured to receive a second flange of the stud track, the first and second flange slots being spaced along the first and second support rails a distance to receive the respective first and second flanges of the stud track and to support a stud track web on the support rails between the first and second flange slots. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second support rails include a plurality of flange slots configured to receive flanges of stud tracks having different widths. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the web crimping feature is pivotally movable between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flange crimping feature is pivotally movable between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature are coupled for common movement between the respective first and second positions. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature comprise a unitary structure. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to each of the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature, the handle being configured for common movement of the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature between the respective first and second positions. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a depth stop for controlling a depth of the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature between the support rails in the respective first positions. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the depth stop is adjustable for adjustably controlling the depth of the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature between the support rails in the respective first positions. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the depth stop is threadably adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the depth stop is coupled to a handle configured for commonly moving the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 positioning a stud track on a pair of support rails, the pair of support rails including respective flange slots receiving a flange of the stud track;   moving a flange crimping feature to engage the flange of the stud track deforming the flange of the stud track between the pair of support rails; and   moving a web crimping feature to engage a web of the stud track deforming the web of the stud track between the pair of support rails.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein moving the flange crimping feature and moving the web crimping feature includes commonly moving the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein moving the flange crimping feature and moving the web crimping feature includes pivotally moving the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature relative to the pair of support rails. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein pivotally moving the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature includes pivotally moving a handle relative to the pair of support rails, the handle being coupled to the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further including providing a depth stop coupled with one or more of the flange crimping feature and the web crimping feature to control a degree of deformation of one or more of the flange of the stud track and the web of the stud track. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including adjusting the depth stop to achieve a desired degree of deformation of one or more of the flange of the stud track and the web of the stud track. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 adjusting the stud track relative to the pair of support rails;   moving the flange crimping feature to engage the flange of the stud track deforming the flange of the stud track between the pair of support rails at a location on the stud track spaced from the previously deformed portion of the stud track; and   moving the web crimping feature to engage the web of the stud track deforming the web of the stuck track between the pair of support rails at a location on the stud track spaced from the previously deformed portion of the stud track.