Patent Application
20080190053
This invention relates to sheet metal framing members, such as sheet metal studs or the like. More particularly, it relates to the provision of a beaded opening in the framing member for receiving an elongated article, e.g. an electrical cable, metal or plastic conduit or the like.
Framing walls are typically constructed from a plurality of horizontally spaced apart vertically extending studs that are connected at their upper and lower ends to horizontally extending members termed “tracks”. Some framing is constructed from wood members and other is constructed from sheet metal members. When wood members are used, it is common practice to drill a series of holes in the studs for receiving an electrical cable, water pipe, etc. that must extend through the interior of the wall of which the framing is a part. When sheet metal frame members are used for the framing, it has been the practice to stamp holes in the webs of the studs and extend the electrical cable, conduits, etc. through these holes. A problem experienced when this method is used is that the stamped openings have sharp edges that cut the electrical cable and/or conduit that is inserted through the openings. A principal object of the present invention is to eliminate this problem by eliminating the sharp edges at the periphery of the openings.
The method of the invention comprises forming an opening in the web of a framing member then introducing a framing tool into the opening from a first side of the framing member and using said tool the metal immediately surrounding the opening, causing the flare to curve convexly from the first side of the framing member inwardly into the opening. Next, a forming tool is introduced into the flare from the second side of the framing member and used to reverse curl the flare and form it into a bead at the periphery of the opening. The bead is formed to present a convexly rounded inner surface in the opening positioned to be contacted by any object inserted into and through the opening.
In one embodiment, the framing member is positioned on a support member that includes a punch-receiving opening. The punch is moved against the web on the side of the web opposite the support member, in alignment with the opening in the support member. Then, the punch is extended to punch an opening through the web of the frame member. After forming the opening the punch moves through the punch opening in the support member.
In preferred form, the frame member has a channel cross section composed of the web and two flanges. The web extends between and interconnects the two flanges. The punch is introduced against the side of the web on which the flanges are located.
In preferred form, the first forming tool is inserted into the opening from the side of the web on which the flanges are located. The second forming tool is inserted into the flare from the side of the framing member opposite the flanges.
In preferred form, the opening formed in the web is a circular opening. The tool that is used to form the flare has a head with a first end and a circular cross sectional shape that increases in diameter from the first end as it extends axially inwardly of the tool. The tool that forms the bead has a head with the first end a circular cross section that increases in diameter as it extends from the first end axially of the tool. This flare forming tool is rotated as it is moved axially into the opening to form the flare. The bead forming tool is rotated as it is pushed axially into the flare to form the bead.
Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of the best mode set forth below, from the drawings, from the claims and from the principles that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated and described.
Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the several views of the drawing, and:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,203, granted Jul. 7, 1992, to Robert F. Paquette, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,237, granted Feb. 15, 2005, to Matt F. Surowiecki, show framing walls composed of upper and lower, horizontal, channel members, termed “tracks”, and spaced apart, vertical studs extending between the upper and lower channel members. Both of these patents disclose wallboard sheeting secured to the opposite sides of the framing wall.
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The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood that many changes in the particular structure, materials and features that are disclosed may by made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the framing member may be punched and the flare formed and then the bead formed by the use of successive tools which are mounted on rollers through which the sheet metal member passes. Also, the bead may be formed on the inside of the web rather than on the outside, as illustrated. Therefore, it is my intention that my patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments that are illustrated and described herein, but rather are to be determined by the following claims, interpreted according to accepted doctrines of patent claim interpretation, including use of the doctrine of equivalents.
