GB1585544A - Sheet metal structures and the formation thereof - Google Patents

Sheet metal structures and the formation thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
GB1585544A
GB1585544A GB1310777A GB1310777A GB1585544A GB 1585544 A GB1585544 A GB 1585544A GB 1310777 A GB1310777 A GB 1310777A GB 1310777 A GB1310777 A GB 1310777A GB 1585544 A GB1585544 A GB 1585544A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
flange
depression
corner
sheet
sides
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
GB1310777A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hotpoint Ltd
Original Assignee
Hotpoint Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hotpoint Ltd filed Critical Hotpoint Ltd
Priority to GB1310777A priority Critical patent/GB1585544A/en
Publication of GB1585544A publication Critical patent/GB1585544A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D11/00—Bending not restricted to forms of material mentioned in only one of groups B21D5/00, B21D7/00, B21D9/00; Bending not provided for in groups B21D5/00 - B21D9/00; Twisting
    • B21D11/08—Bending by altering the thickness of part of the cross-section of the work

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SHEET METAL STRUCTURES AND THE FORMATION THEREOF (71) We, HOTPOINT LIMITED of Peterborough, a British Company, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a method of forming sheet metal structures, for example as may be used in the fabrication of the casings of metal sided cabinets for washing machines, clothes dryers and similar appliances.
It is customary when forming a corner structure of, for example, the casing of a metal-sided cabinet from a metal sheet having an edge bent over to form a flange extending at right angles to the main part of the sheet, to first notch the flange adjacent the position where the comer is to be formed with a 'V' shaped cut-out extending the width of the flange so as to allow the forming operation to be carried out, the edges of the cut-out moving towards each other as the forming operation proceeds and eventually abutting each other. The adjacent edges can be secured as by welding or brazing so as to give a rigid corner structure. Clearly the degree of notching can be varied to suit whatever angle of corner is required.
Such a technique, however, is not suitable for use with pre-finished steel sheet, that is to say organic coated steel sheet on which a decorative or protective finish is applied either in liquid form or as a film so as to produce a laminate. Such finishes generally preclude subsequent high temperature operations such as welding or brazing which would otherwise damage the finish. Futhermore it is desirable to avoid shearing or otherwise cutting the pre-finished steel since exposure, even in part of the parent metal can give rise to corrosion and ultimately deterioration of the finish.
The present invention is concerned with a method of forming a corner structure suitable for use with pre-finished steel sheet in which not only is a securing operation as by welding avoided but in eliminating a notching operation the possibility of corrosion and ultimate deterioration of the finish is greatly reduced.
According to the invention, a method of forming a corner structure from a metal sheet having an edge portion bent over to form a flange lying at an angle to the main part of the sheet, includes the step of forming a triangular depression across the width of the flange at the position where the corner is to be formed, the depth and width of the depression increasing towards the edge of the flange such that as the sheet is bent at that position to form the corner, the sides of the depression are folded towards each other and form a double-thickness web projecting out of the plane of the flange.
The shape of the depression is preferably such that on completion of the bending operation the two sides of the depression are folded into contact with each other.
Thus where a right-angled corner is required, and the flange extends perpendicular to the main part of the sheet, the triangular depression is preferably formed with its side edges lying at an angle of 45" to the edge of the flange, the sheet is bent through a right angle so that the double-thickness web that is formed during the bending operation by the folding of the two sides of the depression towards each other, projects at right angles to the remainder of the flange.
The method of the invention provides an inherently strong corner structure without the need for an additional welding operation.
Usually the depression will be formed in the outwardly facing surface of the flange so that the double-thickness web that is produced projects inwards, that is to say on the side of the flange facing the main part of the sheet, although for some applications it may be formed in the opposite surface.
The metal sheet, which can, for example, be of pre-finished steel, may in some cases have flanges formed along opposing edges at least in the region where the corner structure is to be formed, and in which a said triangular depression is formed across the width of each of the flanges so that during the bending operation two double-thickness webs are formed by the folding together of the sides of the respective depressions in the two flanges.
A plurality of said triangular depressions may be formed at spaced positions along a flange and the sheet may be bent at these positions so that the sides of the respective depressions are bent towards each other to form a plurality of spaced, double-thickness webs, each projecting from the plane of the flange. Hence each corner structure formed in accordance with the invention may be one of four in a metal sheet shaped to provide a box-shaped casing, for example for the cabinet of a washing machine, clothes dryer or other apparatus.
The invention will be further explained with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawing which illustrates three stages in producing a pre-finished steel corner structure in accordance with the invention. Such a structure may be of use in for example, a casing for a washing machine cabinet.
Figure 1 shows, in part, a pre-finished steel panel 1 having its upper edge turned-over to form a flange 2 as shown. Such a panel may provide the side wall of a casing and the flange 2 the supporting frame for a decorative trim or some other part of the product.
To assist in initiating forming of the corner structure, the final form of which is shown in Figure 3 the flange 2 is indented to form a shallow triangular depression as shown at 5 in Figure 2, thus ensuring that when the sides la and 1b (See Fig. 3) of the panel are bent around the vertical line 4 to form the corner the two sides of the depression 5 are folded towards each other so that when the forming is completed they provide a double-thickness web 6 which protrudes downwardly from the flange 2 as shown.
Such a corner structure is inherently strong and if necessary the slight depression 7 left in the upper surface may be filled with a suitable material and smoothed over so as to provide a flat belmish-free surface.
The corner structure may be one of four formed in the panel, thus providing a boxshaped casing, or if desired one of eight if a similar turned-over edge is provided along the lower edge of the panel.
The web 6 may itself be turned over to one side or the other so as to lie flat against the underside of the flange 2 if a protrusion-free corner structure is required. Such an additional form is likely to further strengthen the corner structure.
Although the flange 2 of the panel illustrated is shown bent over at right angles to the main part of the panel, the invention is also applicable to the fabrication of corner structures in metal sheets having flanges inclined at other angles, the shape of the depressions being selected accordingly. Similarly the invention is applicable to corner structures ih which the metal sheet is bent through angles other than right angles.
It will also be appreciated that the invention includes within its scope casings and other fabrications of sheet metal having corner structures which have been formed as above described, and to apparatus, for example washing machines, incorporating such casings.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A method of forming a corner structure from a metal sheet having an edge portion bent over to form a flange lying at an angle to the main part of the sheet, including the step of forming a triangular depression across the width of the flange at the position where the corner is to be formed, the depth and width of the depression increasing towards the edge of the flange such that as the sheet is bent at that position to form the corner, the sides of the depression are folded towards each other and form a double-thickness web projecting out of the plane of the flange.
2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the shape of the depression is such that on completion of the bending operation the two sides of the depression are folded into contact with each other.
3. A method according to Claim 2 in which the flange extends perpendicular to the main part of the sheet, wherein the depression is formed with its side edges lying at an angle of 450 to the edge of the flange, the sheet is bent through a right angle so that the doublethickness web that is formed during the bending operation by the folding of the two sides of the depression towards each other, projects at right angles to the remainder of the flange.
4. A method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the depression is formed in the outwardly facing surface of the flange so that the double-thickness web that is formed during the bending operation projects inwards.
5. A method according to any preceding claim in which the metal sheet has flanges formed along opposing edges at least in the region where the corner structure is to be formed, and in which a said triangular depression is formed across the width of each of the flanges so that during the bending operation two double-thickness webs are formed by the folding together of the sides of the respective depressions in the two flanges.
6. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 including the steps of forming a plurality of said triangular depressions in the flange at spaced positions along it and bending the sheet at these positions so that the sides of the respective depressions are bent towards each other to form a plurality of spaced, doublethickness webs, each projecting out of the plane of the flange.
7. A method of forming a comer structure from a metal sheet carried out substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. operation two double-thickness webs are formed by the folding together of the sides of the respective depressions in the two flanges. A plurality of said triangular depressions may be formed at spaced positions along a flange and the sheet may be bent at these positions so that the sides of the respective depressions are bent towards each other to form a plurality of spaced, double-thickness webs, each projecting from the plane of the flange. Hence each corner structure formed in accordance with the invention may be one of four in a metal sheet shaped to provide a box-shaped casing, for example for the cabinet of a washing machine, clothes dryer or other apparatus. The invention will be further explained with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawing which illustrates three stages in producing a pre-finished steel corner structure in accordance with the invention. Such a structure may be of use in for example, a casing for a washing machine cabinet. Figure 1 shows, in part, a pre-finished steel panel 1 having its upper edge turned-over to form a flange 2 as shown. Such a panel may provide the side wall of a casing and the flange 2 the supporting frame for a decorative trim or some other part of the product. To assist in initiating forming of the corner structure, the final form of which is shown in Figure 3 the flange 2 is indented to form a shallow triangular depression as shown at 5 in Figure 2, thus ensuring that when the sides la and 1b (See Fig. 3) of the panel are bent around the vertical line 4 to form the corner the two sides of the depression 5 are folded towards each other so that when the forming is completed they provide a double-thickness web 6 which protrudes downwardly from the flange 2 as shown. Such a corner structure is inherently strong and if necessary the slight depression 7 left in the upper surface may be filled with a suitable material and smoothed over so as to provide a flat belmish-free surface. The corner structure may be one of four formed in the panel, thus providing a boxshaped casing, or if desired one of eight if a similar turned-over edge is provided along the lower edge of the panel. The web 6 may itself be turned over to one side or the other so as to lie flat against the underside of the flange 2 if a protrusion-free corner structure is required. Such an additional form is likely to further strengthen the corner structure. Although the flange 2 of the panel illustrated is shown bent over at right angles to the main part of the panel, the invention is also applicable to the fabrication of corner structures in metal sheets having flanges inclined at other angles, the shape of the depressions being selected accordingly. Similarly the invention is applicable to corner structures ih which the metal sheet is bent through angles other than right angles. It will also be appreciated that the invention includes within its scope casings and other fabrications of sheet metal having corner structures which have been formed as above described, and to apparatus, for example washing machines, incorporating such casings. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. A method of forming a corner structure from a metal sheet having an edge portion bent over to form a flange lying at an angle to the main part of the sheet, including the step of forming a triangular depression across the width of the flange at the position where the corner is to be formed, the depth and width of the depression increasing towards the edge of the flange such that as the sheet is bent at that position to form the corner, the sides of the depression are folded towards each other and form a double-thickness web projecting out of the plane of the flange.
2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the shape of the depression is such that on completion of the bending operation the two sides of the depression are folded into contact with each other.
3. A method according to Claim 2 in which the flange extends perpendicular to the main part of the sheet, wherein the depression is formed with its side edges lying at an angle of 450 to the edge of the flange, the sheet is bent through a right angle so that the doublethickness web that is formed during the bending operation by the folding of the two sides of the depression towards each other, projects at right angles to the remainder of the flange.
4. A method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the depression is formed in the outwardly facing surface of the flange so that the double-thickness web that is formed during the bending operation projects inwards.
5. A method according to any preceding claim in which the metal sheet has flanges formed along opposing edges at least in the region where the corner structure is to be formed, and in which a said triangular depression is formed across the width of each of the flanges so that during the bending operation two double-thickness webs are formed by the folding together of the sides of the respective depressions in the two flanges.
6. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 including the steps of forming a plurality of said triangular depressions in the flange at spaced positions along it and bending the sheet at these positions so that the sides of the respective depressions are bent towards each other to form a plurality of spaced, doublethickness webs, each projecting out of the plane of the flange.
7. A method of forming a comer structure from a metal sheet carried out substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawing.
8. A box-shaped casing formed from metal sheet and incorporating at least one corner structure formed by a method according to any preceding claim.
9. A cabinet of a washing machine formed from metal sheet and incorporating at least one corner structure formed according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.
10. A washing machine incorporating a cabinet according to Claim 9.
GB1310777A 1978-03-23 1978-03-23 Sheet metal structures and the formation thereof Expired GB1585544A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1310777A GB1585544A (en) 1978-03-23 1978-03-23 Sheet metal structures and the formation thereof

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1310777A GB1585544A (en) 1978-03-23 1978-03-23 Sheet metal structures and the formation thereof

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB1585544A true GB1585544A (en) 1981-03-04

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0521798A1 (en) * 1991-07-05 1993-01-07 Ecia - Equipements Et Composants Pour L'industrie Automobile Metallic support, methods for its manufacturing and its use to electric motors
FR2679004A1 (en) * 1991-07-08 1993-01-15 Airelec Support made of bent sheet metal particularly for electric heating appliance
US5501013A (en) * 1990-09-04 1996-03-26 Ppg Industries, Inc. Spacer and spacer frame for an insulating glazing unit and method of making same
US5515596A (en) * 1992-11-19 1996-05-14 Sanyo Machine Works, Ltd. Method of executing hemming process
US5655282A (en) * 1990-09-04 1997-08-12 Ppg Industries, Inc. Low thermal conducting spacer assembly for an insulating glazing unit and method of making same
US5761946A (en) * 1992-06-30 1998-06-09 Ppg Industries, Inc. Method of making spacer stock
GB2353743A (en) * 1999-08-27 2001-03-07 C P Cases Ltd Improvements in the manufacture of cases
US6470561B1 (en) 1990-09-04 2002-10-29 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Spacer and spacer frame for an insulating glazing unit and method of making same
JP2013013934A (en) * 2011-06-08 2013-01-24 Jfe Steel Corp Method for manufacturing metal component with three-dimensional edge
CN112658088A (en) * 2021-01-04 2021-04-16 中国航空制造技术研究院 Thermal forming method for titanium alloy thin-wall small-angle curved surface flanging

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5675944A (en) * 1990-09-04 1997-10-14 P.P.G. Industries, Inc. Low thermal conducting spacer assembly for an insulating glazing unit and method of making same
US6223414B1 (en) 1990-09-04 2001-05-01 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Method of making an insulating unit having a low thermal conducting spacer
US5501013A (en) * 1990-09-04 1996-03-26 Ppg Industries, Inc. Spacer and spacer frame for an insulating glazing unit and method of making same
US5655282A (en) * 1990-09-04 1997-08-12 Ppg Industries, Inc. Low thermal conducting spacer assembly for an insulating glazing unit and method of making same
US6470561B1 (en) 1990-09-04 2002-10-29 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Spacer and spacer frame for an insulating glazing unit and method of making same
FR2678709A1 (en) * 1991-07-05 1993-01-08 Ecia Equip Composants Ind Auto IMPROVED METAL SUPPORT, METHOD FOR ITS PREPARATION AND APPLICATION TO ELECTRIC MOTORS.
EP0521798A1 (en) * 1991-07-05 1993-01-07 Ecia - Equipements Et Composants Pour L'industrie Automobile Metallic support, methods for its manufacturing and its use to electric motors
FR2679004A1 (en) * 1991-07-08 1993-01-15 Airelec Support made of bent sheet metal particularly for electric heating appliance
US5761946A (en) * 1992-06-30 1998-06-09 Ppg Industries, Inc. Method of making spacer stock
US5515596A (en) * 1992-11-19 1996-05-14 Sanyo Machine Works, Ltd. Method of executing hemming process
GB2353743A (en) * 1999-08-27 2001-03-07 C P Cases Ltd Improvements in the manufacture of cases
GB2353743B (en) * 1999-08-27 2002-12-11 C P Cases Ltd Improvements in the manufacture of cases
JP2013013934A (en) * 2011-06-08 2013-01-24 Jfe Steel Corp Method for manufacturing metal component with three-dimensional edge
CN112658088A (en) * 2021-01-04 2021-04-16 中国航空制造技术研究院 Thermal forming method for titanium alloy thin-wall small-angle curved surface flanging
CN112658088B (en) * 2021-01-04 2022-01-21 中国航空制造技术研究院 Thermal forming method for titanium alloy thin-wall small-angle curved surface flanging

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PS Patent sealed
PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Effective date: 19980322