Two element building frame members, method and apparatus

Abstract

An enclosed cross-section building frame member has two elongated, sheet metal elements that are connected together by diametrically opposed, double overlapped seams. The elements are generally L shaped and can be compactly stacked for shipping to a construction site. The seams are cross serrated to prevent longitudinal slippage. A portable seaming apparatus has an entry guide tube for assembly of the elements prior to seaming. The apparatus is adjustable for making different sizes of frame members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A building frame member comprising:
 an elongated, sheet metal first element having a first wall extending from a right angle first corner to a spaced right angle second corner and a planar second wall extending from said first corner,   an elongated sheet metal second element having a first wall extending from a right angle first corner to a spaced right angle second corner and a planar second wall extending from said first corner,   a roll formed, double overlapped first seam located between said first corner of said first element and said second corner of said second element and connecting said second wall of said first element to said second corner of said second element, and   a diametrically opposed, roll formed, double overlapped second seam connecting said second wall of said second element to said second corner of said first element,   whereby said first and second elements form a closed shape.   
     
     
         2 . The frame member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 said first element has a first seam portion extending from said second wall and a second seam portion extending from said second corner, 
 said second element has a first seam portion extending from said second wall and a second seam portion extending from said second corner, 
 said first seam is formed from said first seam portion of said first element and said second seam portion of said second element, and 
 said second seam is formed from said first seam portion of said second element and said second seam portion of said first element. 
 
     
     
         3 . The frame member as set forth in  claim 2  wherein:
 said first seam portions of said first and second elements each have an inwardly inclined section extending from said second wall, a first hook section that extends from said inclined section parallel to said second wall, an end section that curves outwardly from said first hook section, and a spaced second hook section that extends from said end section towards said inclined section, parallel to said first hook section, 
 said second seam portions of said first and second elements each have a first hook section that extends from said second corner, an end section that curves inwardly from said first hook section, and a spaced second hook section that extends from said end section towards said first wall, parallel to said first hook section, 
 said second hook section of said first seam portion of said first element is received between said first and second hook sections of said second seam portion of said second element, and said second hook section of said second seam portion of said second element is received between said first and second hook sections of said first seam portion of said first element, 
 said second hook section of said first seam portion of said second element is received between said first and second hook sections of said second seam portion of said first element, and said second hook section of said second seam portion of said first element is received between said first and second hook sections of said first seam portion of said second element, and 
 said first hook section of said second seam portion of said first element is coplanar with said second wall of said second element, and said first hook section of said second seam portion of said second element is coplanar with said second wall of said first element. 
 
     
     
         4 . The frame member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first seam is adjacent to said second corner of said second element and second seam is adjacent to said second corner of said first element. 
     
     
         5 . The frame member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first seam is spaced intermediate said first corner of said first element and said second corner of said second element, and second seam is spaced intermediate said first corner of said second element and said second corner of said first element. 
     
     
         6 . The frame member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first and second seams are cross serrated. 
     
     
         7 . The frame member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first and second elements are identical. 
     
     
         8 . The frame member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first walls of said first and second elements are planar,
 whereby said first and second elements form a closed rectangular shape. 
 
     
     
         9 . The frame member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first walls of said first and second elements are shaped such that said first and second elements form a closed hourglass shape 
     
     
         10 . A building frame member comprising:
 an elongated sheet metal first element having a planar first wall extending from a right angle first corner to a spaced right angle second corner, a planar second wall extending from said first corner, a first seam portion extending from said second wall and a second seam portion extending from said second corner,   an elongated sheet metal second element, identical to said first element, having a planar first wall extending from a right angle first corner to a spaced right angle second corner, a planar second wall extending from said first corner, a first seam portion extending from said second wall and a second seam portion extending from said second corner,   a roll formed, double overlapped first seam located between said first corner of said first element and said second corner of said second element, formed from said first seam portion of said first element and said second seam portion of said second element, and connecting said second wall of said first element to said second corner of said second element, and   a diametrically opposed, roll formed, double overlapped second seam formed from said first seam portion of said second element and said second seam portion of said first element, and connecting said second wall of said second element to said second corner of said first element,   whereby said first and second elements form a closed, substantially rectangular shape.   
     
     
         11 . A method of making a building frame member comprising the steps of:
 providing identical, compactly stackable, substantially L-shaped elongated, sheet metal first and second elements each having a first wall with a first edge and a spaced second edge, a right angle first corner at said first edge, a planar second wall extending from said first corner, a partially formed first seam portion extending from said second wall and a partially formed second seam portion extending from said second edge,   assembling said first and second elements with said first corners diametrically opposed, said first seam portion of said first element fitting with said second seam portion of said second element and said first seam portion of said second element fitting with said second seam portion of said first element,   forming a first seam by roll forming said first seam portion of said first element and said second seam portion of said second element, and   forming a second seam by roll forming said first seam portion of said second element and said second seam portion of said first element.   
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said steps of forming a first seam and forming a second seam are performed simultaneously. 
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  including the step of cross serrating said first and second seams. 
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said step of forming a first seam includes forming a double overlapped seam and said step of forming a second seam includes forming a double overlapped seam. 
     
     
         15 . A portable apparatus for making an enclosed cross-section building frame member from elongated, sheet metal first and second elements, comprising:
 a floor mounted frame having a front end and a spaced back end,   an elongated guide tube spaced above said frame and having a front end mounted to said front end of said frame and supporting said guide tube, said guide tube extending rearwardly to a spaced back end, said guide tube being sized for assembly of said first and second elements,   a mandrel mounted to and supported by said back end of said guide tube, said mandrel extending rearwardly from said back end of said guide tube to said back end of said frame,   spaced, diametrically opposed first and second inner seaming roller sections mounted on said mandrel, said first and second inner seaming roller sections each having a plurality of longitudinally spaced inner seaming rollers, and   first and second outer seaming roller sections mounted on said frame, said first and second outer seaming roller sections each having a plurality of spaced, powered outer seaming rollers aligned with said inner seaming rollers,   whereby said first and second elements are assembled on said guide tube and said inner and outer seaming rollers form diametrically opposed first and second seams between said first and second elements to form said frame member.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said first and second outer seaming roller sections each include a forwardly located initial stage outer seaming roller that is a traction gear, said gears providing traction to pull said first and second elements through said inner and outer seaming rollers. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said first and second outer seaming roller sections include rearwardly located final stage outer seaming rollers that are cross serrating gears that cross serrates said first and second seams. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said inner seaming rollers on said first inner seaming roller section and said inner seaming rollers on said second inner seaming roller section are longitudinally aligned such that said first and second seams are formed simultaneously. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said mandrel is interchangeable to accommodate forming of different sizes of frame members. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said first outer seaming section is adjustable to accommodate forming of different sizes of frame members.