Apparatus and method for placement of angle plates in transverse duct flanges

1. An apparatus for automatically assembling an angle plate in channel shaped flanges at ends of duct panels joined in a corner to form a duct section, said apparatus comprising:

a platen adapted for engaging an end of a duct in a preselected position relative to said platen and said platen includes a substantially unobstructed work area adapted to receive a duct fitting;

clamping members adapted for locking a duct in a preselected position relative to said platen;

a supply hopper for angle plates located underneath said platen adapted for advancing upwardly an angle plate for insertion into said duct;

an angle plate advancing member adapted for advancing an angle plate into engagement with a corner of a clamped duct section; and

pressing members adapted for pressing an angle plate into said corners of said duct.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each duct flange has a free side edge, and there are means for crimping said side edges over said angle plate.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a trigger member and an electric switch to activate said insertion and a PLC member to control sequence operation of components of said apparatus.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said supply hopper further comprises an elevator for advancing said angle plate into position relative to said angle plate advancing member.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said elevator comprises a V-shaped magazine for holding angle plates, an air cylinder and finger plates adapted to engage said angle plates.

6. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said clamping members, angle plate elevator, angle plate advancing member, pressing members, and crimping members is activated by a separate air cylinder.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said clamping members comprise a clamp arm, a clamp head and a clamp finger adapted to engage said duct flange to lock said flange in place.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said angle plate advancing member comprises a feed member having a V-shape notch for engaging an angle plate.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pressing members comprise a press head having a press wedge adapted for engaging an angle plate and pressing said angle plate into said duct flange.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said pressing members press said angle plate into said duct flange at an angle in a range of about 50 to about 90 degrees.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a moveable cover for said supply hopper.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said movable cover includes at least one magnet adapted to engage an angle plate in said supply hopper to position said angle plate for engagement with said angle plate advancing member.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1 adapted to receive duct fittings and automatically insert angle plates in said duct fittings.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said supply hopper is adapted to receive a package of angle plates wherein said package comprises a sleeve.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said sleeve further includes at least one closure member at an end thereof.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said sleeve is made from a material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, plastic and metal.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said sleeve is adapted to hold a plurality of angle plates in a range of 50 to 100 angle plates.

18. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said sleeve further includes a closure member at each end thereof and each said closure member is removable.