Modified flat hem apparatus and method
US6257043A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53791
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hemming steel constructed to fold or hem a flange of an outer sheet metal panel onto an inner sheet metal panel has a forming face with a first, generally flat section and a second section inclined to the first section to provide a finished, hemmed flange having an outer portion closed or folded flat onto the inner sheet metal panel and an inner portion adjacent to the fold line which is inclined to the outer portion providing a reduced radius of the fold line bend. The second section of the hemming steel is preferably generally planar such that the inner portion of the hemmed flange is generally flat and provides an outer bend diameter along the fold line of the outer sheet metal panel which is less than three times the thickness of the sheet metal panel and may be approximately equal to or less than the thickness of the outer panel. The reduced bend diameter is believed to provide a smooth and fair fold line which has a more consistent appearance when viewed from different angles to improve the appearance of the panels of the vehicle body in assembly. Further, with the outer portion of the hemmed flange folded flat against the inner sheet metal panel, no sealing operation is re…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.