초록 ▼

A device is disclosed for preparing a U-shaped spacer having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spacer has first and second opposing sides extending from a spacer bottom, and wherein the spacer is to be used as a spacer between glass sheets on insulating frames. A method for producing such spacer feat

A device is disclosed for preparing a U-shaped spacer having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spacer has first and second opposing sides extending from a spacer bottom, and wherein the spacer is to be used as a spacer between glass sheets on insulating frames. A method for producing such spacer features is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A device for preparing a U-shaped spacer having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spacer has first and second opposing sides extending from a spacer bottom and wherein the spacer is to be used as a spacer between glass sheets on sealed windows, and wherein the spacer may

The invention claimed is: 1. A device for preparing a U-shaped spacer having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spacer has first and second opposing sides extending from a spacer bottom and wherein the spacer is to be used as a spacer between glass sheets on sealed windows, and wherein the spacer may be bent and still retain a depth suitable to accept a matrix for sealing the spacer around the window when mounted within an insulating unit, comprising: a) a base; b) a guide within the base for firmly supporting the U-shaped spacer; c) an embossing subassembly movable in an operating direction vertical and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis for imparting to the opposing sides of the spacer a corner configuration having a perforation pattern; and d) a pressing element for activating the embossing subassembly, wherein the perforation pattern is intended to retain a lower section of the opposing sides for accepting the matrix and to cause the lower section of the sides to collapse inwardly when the spacer is bent, wherein the embossing subassembly is comprised of: i) a first forming member and a second forming member movable in opposing vertical directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and aligned within the base to act upon a spacer that may be secured within the guide, wherein each forming member is comprised of: 1) a shearing element which is aligned to engage and remove by shearing an upper section of each opposing side; and 2) a primary embossing element which is aligned to emboss a perforation pattern upon the outer surface of the lower section of an opposing side, wherein the first forming member and the second forming member act upon the first opposing side and the second opposing side, respectively. 2. The device according to claim 1, further including a backing segment aligned with each forming member, wherein the backing segment supports the spacer in the region of the primary embossing element and includes a secondary embossing element complementary to that provided by the primary embossing element upon the inner surface of the lower section of each of the first and second opposing sides. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein each primary embossing element has a protruding embossing pattern and each backing segment has a complementary embossing pattern to impart a perforation pattern to the inner and outer surfaces of each opposing side to ensure, when bent, the embossed segment will collapse inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the spacer. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the shearing element of the forming member is comprised of a plane inclined relative to the operating direction to promote a shearing action against both opposing sides of the spacer. 5. A device for preparing a U-shaped spacer having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spacer has first and second opposing sides extending from a spacer bottom and wherein the spacer is to be used as a spacer between glass sheets on sealed windows, and wherein the spacer may be bent and still retain a depth suitable to accept a matrix for sealing the spacer around the window when mounted within an insulating unit, comprising: a) a base; b) a guide within the base for firmly supporting the U-shaped spacer; c) an embossing subassembly movable in an operating direction vertical and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis for imparting to the opposing sides of the spacer a corner configuration having a perforation pattern; and d) a pressing element for activating the embossing subassembly, wherein the perforation pattern is intended to retain a lower section of the opposing sides for accepting the matrix and to cause the lower section of the sides to collapse inwardly when the spacer is bent, wherein the base is comprised of two opposing working plates having slots therein to accept the opposing sides of the spacer and further comprised of at least one interchangeable spacing plate therebetween that may space the opposing working plates to accommodate spacers having bottoms with different widths. 6. A device for preparing a U-shaped spacer having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spacer has first and second opposing sides extending from a spacer bottom and wherein the spacer is to be used as a spacer between glass sheets on sealed windows, and wherein the spacer may be bent and still retain a depth suitable to accept a matrix for sealing the spacer around the window when mounted within an insulating unit, comprising: a) a base; b) a guide within the base for firmly supporting the U-shaped spacer; c) an embossing subassembly movable in an operating direction vertical and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis for imparting to the opposing sides of the spacer a corner configuration having a perforation pattern; and d) a pressing element for activating the embossing subassembly, wherein the perforation pattern is intended to retain a lower section of the opposing sides for accepting the matrix and to cause the lower section of the sides to collapse inwardly when the spacer is bent, wherein the embossing assembly comprises a first forming member and a second forming member, wherein the pressing element is comprised of a pressing plate movable in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first forming member is connected to and moves with the plate, and the pressing element is further comprised of a lever transferring the downward motion of the plate to an upward motion of the second forming member such that movement of the first forming member in one direction causes movement of the second forming member in the opposite direction. 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the pressing plate is slidingly secured to the base and biased away from the base. 8. A device for preparing a U-shaped spacer having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spacer has first and second opposing sides extending from a spacer bottom and wherein the spacer is to be used as a spacer between glass sheets on sealed windows, and wherein the spacer may be bent and still retain a depth suitable to accept a matrix for sealing the spacer around the window when mounted within an insulating unit, comprising: a) a base; b) a guide within the base for firmly supporting the U-shaped spacer; c) an embossing subassembly movable in an operating direction vertical and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis for imparting to the opposing sides of the spacer a corner configuration having a perforation pattern; d) a pressing element for activating the embossing subassembly, wherein the perforation pattern is intended to retain a lower section of the opposing sides for accepting the matrix and to cause the lower section of the sides to collapse inwardly when the spacer is bent; and (e) a shear/punch subassembly for imparting an end configuration along the length of the spacer by completely shearing the spacer to form an end and simultaneously imparting an access hole within the bottom of the spacer adjacent to the newly formed end, wherein the shear/punch subassembly is also activated by the pressing element, wherein the shear/punch subassembly is comprised of: a) a shearing member movable in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and aligned with the base to act upon the spacer secured within the guide to completely shear the spacer; and b) a punch movable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to penetrate and impart to the bottom of the spacer an access hole. 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the shearing member has an angled cross section to impart a beveled cut to the spacer. 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the shearing member is comprised of an anti-smear element which provides a positive rake cutting edge and which is furthermore comprised of a working element adjacent thereto having a plane inclined relative to the operating direction. 11. A device for preparing a U-shaped spacer having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spacer has first and second opposing sides extending from a spacer bottom and wherein the spacer is to be used as a spacer between glass sheets on sealed windows, and wherein the spacer may be bent and still retain a depth suitable to accept a matrix for sealing the spacer around the window when mounted within an insulating unit, comprising: a) a base; b) a guide within the base for firmly supporting the U-shaped spacer; c) an embossing subassembly movable in an operating direction vertical and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis for imparting to the opposing sides of the spacer a corner configuration having a perforation pattern; d) a pressing element for activating the embossing subassembly, wherein the perforation pattern is intended to retain a lower section of the opposing sides for accepting the matrix and to cause the lower section of the sides to collapse inwardly when the spacer is bent; (e) a shear/punch subassembly for imparting an end configuration along the length of the spacer by completely shearing the spacer to form an end and simultaneously imparting an access hole within the bottom of the spacer adjacent to the newly formed end, wherein the shear/punch subassembly is also activated by the pressing element, wherein the pressing element comprises a pressing plate movable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the shear/punch subassembly comprises a punch movable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and (f) a wedge mounted to the pressing plate which acts downwardly upon a mating wedge attached to the punch to convert the vertical downward motion of the plate to a horizontal motion for the punch.