Patents Assigned to AIM, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10792727
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a wire bending apparatus capable of both on and off-plane nose and mandrel bends. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention incorporate a center turret cluster with a plurality of radii possible, a nose-bending mandrel, and a mandrel-bending mandrel. This apparatus forms a bending head that is attached to a CNC wire bending machine. This combination allows increased flexibility in forming complex wire forms and cuts down secondary operations, such as operations from robot arms, sometimes associated with CNC wire bending. In addition, the turret cluster position in the center allows for bending support with mandrel bends or nose bending on the back side of the bending head, usually 180 degrees away from the normal bending area. This allows the manufacturing of double end-loop forms without the addition of external clamps or robotic manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: AIM, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom J. Christofilis, Constantine S. Grapsas
  • Patent number: 9592546
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a wire bending apparatus capable of both on and off-plane nose and mandrel bends. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention incorporate a center turret cluster with a plurality of radii possible, a nose-bending mandrel, and a mandrel-bending mandrel. This apparatus forms a bending head that is attached to a CNC wire bending machine. This combination allows increased flexibility in forming complex wire forms and cuts down secondary operations, such as operations from robot arms, sometimes associated with CNC wire bending. In addition, the turret cluster position in the center allows for bending support with mandrel bends or nose bending on the back side of the bending head, usually 180 degrees away from the normal bending area. This allows the manufacturing of double end-loop forms without the addition of external clamps or robotic manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: AIM, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom J. Christofilis, Constantine S. Grapsas
  • Patent number: 8757635
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to a stake that is twisted into and out of the ground via an adaptor. The adaptor adapts the stake to a power drill, allowing the power drill to twist the stake into and out of the ground by activating the drill. The adaptor is designed to fit a standard drill chuck at one end. At the other end, the adaptor has a fitting to receive the stake. The fitting is such that the stake and adaptor are axially locked so that the stake and adaptor rotate in unison when the drill is activated. The stake is a wire designed in a coil shape with a pilot. The pilot is fit into the adaptor which axially locks the stake with the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: AIM , Inc.
    Inventors: Tom J. Christofilis, Constantine S. Grapsas
  • Publication number: 20140130567
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a wire bending apparatus capable of both on and off-plane nose and mandrel bends. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention incorporate a center turret cluster with a plurality of radii possible, a nose-bending mandrel, and a mandrel-bending mandrel. This apparatus forms a bending head that is attached to a CNC wire bending machine. This combination allows increased flexibility in forming complex wire forms and cuts down secondary operations, such as operations from robot arms, sometimes associated with CNC wire bending. In addition, the turret cluster position in the center allows for bending support with mandrel bends or nose bending on the back side of the bending head, usually 180 degrees away from the normal bending area. This allows the manufacturing of double end-loop forms without the addition of external clamps or robotic manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Automated Industrial Machinery, Inc., dba AIM, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom J. Christofilis, Constantine S. Grapsas
  • Patent number: 8631674
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a wire bending apparatus capable of both on and off-plane nose and mandrel bends. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention incorporate a center turret cluster with a plurality of radii possible, a nose-bending mandrel, and a mandrel-bending mandrel. This apparatus forms a bending head that is attached to a CNC wire bending machine. This combination allows increased flexibility in forming complex wire forms and cuts down secondary operations, such as operations from robot arms, sometimes associated with CNC wire bending. In addition, the turret cluster position in the center allows for bending support with mandrel bends or nose bending on the back side of the bending head, usually 180 degrees away from the normal bending area. This allows the manufacturing of double end-loop forms without the addition of external clamps or robotic manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: AIM, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom J. Christofilis, Constantine S. Grapsas
  • Publication number: 20120217709
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to a stake that is twisted into and out of the ground via an adaptor. The adaptor adapts the stake to a power drill, allowing the power drill to twist the stake into and out of the ground by activating the drill. The adaptor is designed to fit a standard drill chuck at one end. At the other end, the adaptor has a fitting to receive the stake. The fitting is such that the stake and adaptor are axially locked so that the stake and adaptor rotate in unison when the drill is activated. The stake is a wire designed in a coil shape with a pilot. The pilot is fit into the adaptor which axially locks the stake with the adaptor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Automated Industrial Machinery, Inc., dba AIM, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom J. Christofilis, Constantine S. Grapsas
  • Publication number: 20100147048
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a wire bending apparatus capable of both on and off-plane nose and mandrel bends. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention incorporate a center turret cluster with a plurality of radii possible, a nose-bending mandrel, and a mandrel-bending mandrel. This apparatus forms a bending head that is attached to a CNC wire bending machine. This combination allows increased flexibility in forming complex wire forms and cuts down secondary operations, such as operations from robot arms, sometimes associated with CNC wire bending. In addition, the turret cluster position in the center allows for bending support with mandrel bends or nose bending on the back side of the bending head, usually 180 degrees away from the normal bending area. This allows the manufacturing of double end-loop forms without the addition of external clamps or robotic manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Automated Industrial Machinery, Inc. dba AIM, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom J. Christofilis, Constantine S. Grapsas
  • Patent number: 5718115
    Abstract: The use of an accumulator attached to a chamber of a cylinder allows for the reduction in pressure spikes in constant force hydraulic control systems. Constant force hydraulic control systems often use a differential pressure valve that may have a reaction time of up to one second. By using the accumulator, pressure spikes which might have occurred in the past can be smoothed out and reduced, thus preventing damage to a workpiece or agricultural product. Additionally, by using two cylinders of different sizes, in which one of the cylinders has a barrel end with the approximately the same area as the rod end of the larger cylinder, coordination of devices attached to the cylinders can be maintained without a mechanical link when the hydraulic control system is in a manual mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: AIM, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Burkner
  • Patent number: 4368608
    Abstract: A measured amount of water is frozen in a tray and cubed. The cubes are dropped directly into a bag placed under a chute. The ice drops responsive to the defrosting of the tray which releases the cubes. When the defrosting cycle of the ice maker is complete the tray moves up which moves an attached chain up to unclog any ice jam in the chute. Then the freezing of the ice begins again, a bag-carrying platen moves away from the chute and the bag is heat sealed. The bag, full of ice, is then released and dropped into a cold storage bin below the bagging mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: Texas Aim, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy C. Ray