| 摘要 |
The present invention is a panel seaming device that can seam both curved and straight panels. The panel seaming device accomplishes this task by incorporating a unique mechanical drive configuration that includes two gear box driven by a single motor and connected by a universal joint. This mechanical drive configuration and particularly, the universal joint allows the gear boxes to pivot amongst one another, thereby accommodating for the panel's profile change. In other words, as the panel passes through the seaming device and its profile changes, especially from a straight portion to a curved portion and vice versa, the gear boxes pivot amongst each other and accommodate for such change. Additionally, each gear box includes two portions, which also pivot amongst each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction that each of the first and second gear boxes is pivot. In other words, the portions of the gear boxes pivot in a direction perpendicular to the seam. This pivoting action is made possible by utilizing worm gears within the gear box. Accordingly, the universal joint allows the gear boxes to pivot amongst each other in one direction and the worm gear arrangement of the gear boxes allows the left and right hand portions of the gear boxes to pivot amongst each other in a perpendicular direction, which is parallel to the panel seam.
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