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 first and second rails, the portable device 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;   a first stud connected to the head, wherein when the first end of the rod is moved to the second position, the first stud contacts the first rail deforming at least a portion of the first rail and a key seated therein; and   a second stud connected to the head, wherein when the first end of the rod is moved to the second position, the second stud contacts the second rail deforming at least a portion of the second rail and the key seated therein.   
     
     
         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 first and second rails together, the portable handheld device comprising:
 a hydraulic cylinder including 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;   a first stud connected to the head; and   a second stud connected to the head, wherein when the hydraulic cylinder is activated, the first end of the rod is moved to the second position, first stud contacts the first rail deforming at least a portion of the first rail and a key seated therein, and the second stud contacts the second rail deforming at least a portion of the second rail and the key seated therein.   
     
     
         11 . The portable handheld device of  claim 10 , further comprising: an angle for positioning the first and second 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 12 , 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 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The portable device of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second sidewalls for positioning the first and second rails at a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         22 . The portable device of  claim 1 , further comprising a base of the portable device, wherein the first and second studs are located on a first side of the base and the rod is located on an opposite second side of the base. 
     
     
         23 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second studs are located on a first side of the base and a handle of the portable device is located on an opposite second side of the base. 
     
     
         24 . The portable handheld device of  claim 10 , further comprising first and second sidewalls for positioning the first and second rails at a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         25 . The portable handheld device of  claim 10 , further comprising a base of the portable handheld device, wherein the first and second studs are located on a first side of the base and the hydraulic cylinder is located on an opposite second side of the base. 
     
     
         26 . The portable handheld device of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second studs are located on a first side of the base and a handle of the portable handheld device is located on an opposite second side of the base.