Seam locking apparatus

Abstract

A locking apparatus for securing a turning vane to a duct rail is disclosed. The locking apparatus includes an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and a working end including a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arcuate portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first end portion, second end portion, and arcuate portion together define a concavity that is configured for the reception of a portion of the turning vane therein. The arcuate portion is configured for engagement against the portion of the turning vane to roll the portion of the turning vane over a portion of the duct rail. The rolling of the portion of the turning vane over the portion of the duct rail is configured to secure the turning vane to the duct rail.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A locking apparatus for securing a first sheet metal panel to a second sheet metal panel, the locking apparatus comprising:
 an elongate body;   a proximal portion extending proximally from the elongate body and configured for removable attachment to a pneumatic air hammer;   a distal portion extending distally from the elongate body, the distal portion including:
 a forming surface that is configured to engage against a flange of the first sheet metal panel, the forming surface configured to bend the flange of the first sheet metal panel over a pocket of the first sheet metal panel when the pneumatic air hammer is activated to inhibit removal of a flange of the second sheet metal panel from the pocket; and 
 a guide surface, the guide surface configured to engage against a surface of the first sheet metal panel to guide the forming surface along the flange of the first sheet metal panel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the forming surface includes an arcuate portion. 
     
     
         3 . The locking apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate body defines a longitudinal axis, the forming surface including a planar portion defining a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the arcuate portion extending from the planar portion. 
     
     
         4 . The locking apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein a width of the planar portion is less than a width of the arcuate portion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the guide surface. 
     
     
         5 . The locking apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the arcuate portion curves proximally away from the planar portion, a radius of curvature of the arcuate portion being defined from a point on the longitudinal axis proximal of the planar portion. 
     
     
         6 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide surface extends distally beyond the forming surface. 
     
     
         7 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide surface is a planar surface. 
     
     
         8 . The locking apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the guide surface is orthogonal to at least a portion of the forming surface and parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the elongate body. 
     
     
         9 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a fillet is defined between the guide surface and at least a portion of the forming surface. 
     
     
         10 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide surface and the forming surface are integrally formed. 
     
     
         11 . A method for securing a first sheet metal panel to a second sheet metal panel, the method comprising:
 inserting a flange of the second sheet metal panel into a pocket of the first sheet metal panel;   positioning a locking apparatus against the first sheet metal panel such that a forming surface of the locking apparatus engages against a flange of the first sheet metal panel and a guide surface of the locking apparatus engages against a surface of the first sheet metal panel;   driving the locking apparatus against the first sheet metal panel such that the forming surface engages the flange of the first sheet metal panel and bends the flange of the first sheet metal panel over the flange of the second sheet metal panel, the bending of the flange of the first sheet metal panel over the flange of the second sheet metal panel inhibiting removal of the flange of the second sheet metal panel from the pocket.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein driving the locking apparatus against the first sheet metal panel comprises sliding the locking apparatus along the flange of the first sheet metal panel from a first portion to a second portion of the flange, the sliding guided by the engagement of the guide surface against the surface of the first sheet metal panel, the second portion of the flange of the first sheet metal panel being bent as the locking apparatus slides along the flange from the first portion to the second portion of the flange of the first sheet metal panel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the forming surface comprises at least one arcuate portion, the sliding of the locking apparatus comprising engaging the at least one arcuate portion against the second portion of the flange of the first sheet metal panel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a proximal portion of the locking apparatus is configured for removable attachment to a pneumatic air hammer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the locking apparatus is translatable relative to the pneumatic air hammer between a first position and a second position when removably attached to the pneumatic air hammer, the locking apparatus extending farther from the pneumatic air hammer when in the first positions than when in the second position, wherein positioning the locking apparatus against the first sheet metal panel comprises:
 positioning the locking apparatus against the flange of the first sheet metal panel with the locking apparatus in the first position; and   translating the locking apparatus to at least the second position while positioned against the flange of the first sheet metal panel prior to driving the locking apparatus against the first sheet metal panel.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein driving the locking apparatus against the first sheet metal panel comprises activating the pneumatic air hammer to drive the locking apparatus against the first sheet metal panel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the guide surface is a planar surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the guide surface is orthogonal to at least a portion of the forming surface and parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the locking apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a fillet is defined between the guide surface and at least a portion of the forming surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the guide surface and the forming surface are integrally formed.