Roller type hemming apparatus

Abstract

A roller type hemming apparatus includes a support member having a slide bore, a compression pad of a block-like shape, and a slide member. The compression pad and the slide member are received in the slide bore such that the compression pad is intermediate the support member and the slide member. The compression pad and slide member are preloaded therein. The apparatus further includes a stop member having a radially projecting head. The stop member fastens the compression pad and the slide member to the support member. The apparatus also includes a hem roller. The slide member includes a flange projecting from an outer surface of the slide member and the hem roller is rotatably mounted on the flange. The movement of the slide member is tempered during the application of an abrupt compressive force.

1 . A roller type hemming apparatus comprising: 
 a support member having a slide bore;    a compression pad of a block-like shape;    a slide member;    said compression pad and said slide member being received in said slide bore such that said compression pad is intermediate said support member and said slide member and being preloaded therein;    a stop member having a radially projecting head, said stop member fastening said compression pad and said slide member to said support member; and    a hem roller;    said slide member including a flange projecting from an outer surface of said slide member, said hem roller being rotatably mounted on said flange;    whereby the movement of the slide member is tempered during the application of an abrupt compressive force.    
   
   
       2 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said slide member flange includes an aperture, said hem roller includes a central opening and a bushing therein said central opening, and said apparatus includes a shaft extending through said bushing and said flange aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 2 , further including a nut for securing said shaft to said slide member flange.  
   
   
       4 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 2 , further including a collar on said shaft disposed between said hem roller and said slide member flange.  
   
   
       5 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said stop member is a bolt having a central shank portion and a threaded portion on an end opposite said radially projecting head.  
   
   
       6 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said slide member includes a threaded hole on an inner surface thereof for receiving the threaded portion of said stop member.  
   
   
       7 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said shank portion of said stop member passes through said compression pad.  
   
   
       8 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support member includes a circular opening for receiving said stop member, said circular opening being smaller in diameter than the head of said stop member and extending from an outer surface of said support member to said support member slide bore.  
   
   
       9 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said support member circular opening is coaxially formed in relation to said support member slide bore.  
   
   
       10 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support member slide bore has a square cross-sectional shape.  
   
   
       11 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein slide member has a square cross-sectional shape smaller than said cross section of said support member.  
   
   
       12 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a spacer plate removably fastened to an outer surface of said support member between said outer surface and said stop member head.  
   
   
       13 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said spacer plate includes an opening for receiving said stop member, said opening being smaller in diameter than said stop member head.  
   
   
       14 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said compression pad is a urethane block.  
   
   
       15 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is adapted for operable connection to a work arm of a multi-axis robot.  
   
   
       16 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said apparatus is fastened to a forward end of a hand of said robot.  
   
   
       17 . A method of roller hemming, the method comprising the step of: 
 providing a roller type hemming apparatus including:    a support member having a slide bore;    a compression pad of a block-like shape;    a slide member;    said compression pad and said slide member being received in said slide bore such that said compression pad is intermediate said support member and said slide member and being preloaded therein;    a stop member having a radially projecting head, said stop member fastening said compression pad and said slide member to said support member; and    a hem roller;    said slide member including a flange projecting from an outer surface of said slide member, said hem roller being rotatably mounted on said flange;    whereby the movement of the slide member is tempered during the application of an abrupt compressive force.