Roller type hemming apparatus

Abstract

A roller type hemming apparatus includes a support member having a slide bore. A compressible fluid shock absorber is disposed in the support member and is extendable into the slide bore. A guided slide member is received in the slide bore and the slide member contacts the shock absorber. The slide member includes a flange disposed outside of the slide bore. The apparatus further includes a hem roller. The hem roller is rotatably mounted on the slide member flange. A retaining plate having an opening therein is mounted to the support member adjacent the slide bore for retaining a portion of the slide member in the slide bore and for limiting travel of the slide member out of the slide bore. 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 compressible fluid shock absorber disposed in said support member, said shock absorber being extendable into said slide bore;    a guided slide member received in said slide bore, said slide member contacting said shock absorber;    a hem roller;    said slide member including a flange disposed outside of said slide bore, said hem roller being rotatably mounted on said flange; and    a retaining plate having an opening therein, said retaining plate being mounted to said support member adjacent said slide bore for retaining a portion of said slide member in said slide bore and for limiting travel of said slide member out of said slide bore;    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 , further including anti-rotate guide members adjacent said retaining plate for limiting rotation of said slide member in said slide bore.  
   
   
       3 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 2 , where said slide member contacts a surface of said anti-rotate guide members.  
   
   
       4 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said slide member has curved sides intermediate a pair of opposed flat surfaces.  
   
   
       5 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 4 , further including anti-rotate guide members adjacent said retaining plate, said guide members contacting said flat surfaces of said slide member.  
   
   
       6 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said slide member has steps such that the portion of said slide member retained in said slide bore is larger in width than the opening in said retaining plate while the remainder of said slide member is smaller in width than said opening.  
   
   
       7 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining plate is adjustable to selectively delimit a range of deflection of said slide member, thereby compressing and decompressing said shock absorber to establish a preload force.  
   
   
       8 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said retaining plate is adjustable by varying the distance between said retaining plate and said support member.  
   
   
       9 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a bearing arrangement inserted into said slide bore for guiding said slide member in said slide bore.  
   
   
       10 . 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.  
   
   
       11 . The roller type hemming apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said apparatus is fastened to a forward end of a hand of said robot.  
   
   
       12 . 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 compressible fluid shock absorber disposed in said support member, said shock absorber being extendable into said slide bore;    a guided slide member received in said slide bore, said slide member contacting said shock absorber;    a hem roller;    said slide member including a flange disposed outside of said slide bore, said hem roller being rotatably mounted on said flange; and    a retaining plate having an opening therein, said retaining plate being mounted to said support member adjacent said slide bore for retaining a portion of said slide member in said slide bore and for limiting travel of said slide member out of said slide bore;    whereby the movement of the slide member is tempered during the application of an abrupt compressive force.