Patents Examined by David Jones
  • Patent number: 8117885
    Abstract: Self-aligning tools may be used to install and reposition an expandable structure in a workpiece. A self-aligning installation system may include an expansion mandrel, self-aligning nose cap assembly, and an installation tool for driving the mandrel. The expansion mandrel is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member such that the expandable member radially expands when the expansion mandrel is moved through the passageway. The self-aligning nose cap assembly moves relative to the installation tool and mandrel. A self-aligning seating system can be used to move the installed expandable member. The self-aligning seating system includes a seat backing, a seat base, and a pull rod coupled to the seat backing and extending through the seat base. The seat backing slidably engages the seat base to permit rotation of the pull rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 8117819
    Abstract: A chain repairing tool, which includes a tool body and a PBR block, which is configured for pressing side plates of chain links, for breaking chain links and for riveting chain links as the PBR block is variously oriented within the tool body of the chain repairing tool. Also, a chain repairing tool, having a tool body, a body bolt, which is threadably received by the tool body, and a breaking pin where the body bolt includes a tapered passage, which guides the breaking pin. Also, the breaking pin includes a domed head. Also, a PBR block, which is configured for pressing side plates of chain links, for breaking chain links and for riveting chain links as said PBR block is variously oriented, in conjunction with a chain repairing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Motion Pro, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Richard Scott
  • Patent number: 8117881
    Abstract: A press-molding device (80) press molds a bottom portion of a work piece (9) having a closed-end shape between an, inner die (521) inserted into the work piece (9) and an outer die (551) disposed on an outside of the work piece (9). A chuck position switching mechanism (501) grips the work piece (9) so that the work piece (9) can move in an axial direction. An inner die moving mechanism (522) inserts the inner die (521) into the inside end of the work piece (9). A stopper mechanism (531) supports the inner die (521) in a processing position by restricting movement of the inner die (521). An outer die moving mechanism (552) press-molds the bottom portion of the work piece (9) between the outer die (551) and the inner die (521), thereby press-molding the workpiece (9) smoothly without damaging an inner peripheral surface of the workpiece (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Mishima, Hirofumi Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8113025
    Abstract: Impact consolidated powders form deposits that are densified by substantially simultaneous shot peening of the impact consolidated powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: Ralph M. Tapphorn, Howard Gabel
  • Patent number: 8113027
    Abstract: A plurality of rollers for producing longitudinal grooves in an elongated metal substrate, the plurality of rollers comprising a first set and a second set of rollers, the plurality of rollers having groove-forming fluted edges thereon. The plurality of rollers are aligned circumferentially around and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated metal substrate, wherein the plurality of rollers are configured to produce an odd number of grooves distributed asymmetrically about a circumference of the elongated metal substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. McDonald, Richard A. C. Shepard
  • Patent number: 8109123
    Abstract: A riveting unit is assembled with an electric rivet gun, including a transmission unit, a clamping jaw having a locating portion driven by the transmission unit to be moveable between a first position and a second position, a first sensor detecting whether the locating portion of the clamping jaw is located at the first position, and a second sensor detecting whether the locating portion of the clamping jaw is located at the second position. When the locating portion of the clamping jaw is located at the first position, a blind rivet can be installed in the clamping jaw, and when the locating portion of the clamping jaw is located at the second position, the blind rivet can be ejected, and meanwhile the second sensor can allow the transmission unit to stop the movement of the clamping jaw, thereby preventing the clamping jaw from moving backwards excessively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tranmax Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 8109125
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing ultralow-resistance current sensors of size 0402 to 4518 of IEEE specifications includes the steps of: a raw metallic strip being pressed to roll over a first tension roller, a cutting tool over the first tension roller being fed to cut the raw metallic strip so as to form a deep groove thereof along the moving metallic strip, an insulating material being filled into and along the deep groove so as to form an lengthwise insulating portion of the metallic strip, and the metallic strip with the insulating portion being segmented into a plurality of ultralow-resistance current sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Jen-Huan Pan
  • Patent number: 8109124
    Abstract: An elongated strap member that is coiled in a box and is bent lengthwise as it is drawn out of the box, providing an economical, light, compact means of connecting multiple structural members without sagging or other disadvantageous deformations between the structural members. The structural members are bridged by strap member. The end of the strap member is bent over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company
    Inventor: Jin-Jie Lin
  • Patent number: 8099846
    Abstract: A container (12) for use with a tool (2) for installing fasteners of the type in which a part of the fastener is broken off during installation, the tool (2) having a body, the container (12) being for collecting broken-off fastener parts during operation of the tool, the container (12) comprising: attachment means (20, 21) for removably attaching the container (12) to the body (8) of the tool, the attachment means (20, 21) being resiliently biased into attachment with the body (8) by resilient biasing means; and one or more contact region (22, 23) for receiving manual pressure from a user, at least one of the said one or more contact regions (22, 23) being coupled to the attachment means (20, 21); wherein the resilient biasing means are such that the attachment means (20, 21) can be detached from the body of the tool by the user applying manual pressure on the said one or more contact regions (22, 23) thereby detaching the container (12) from the body of the tool (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Avdel UK Limited
    Inventors: Richard Paul King, Marc Gaussin
  • Patent number: 8099989
    Abstract: Articles are often formed from a tubular workpiece in a process which does not usefully shape the ends of the tube. In an embodiment of the invention, tube ends may be mechanically reduced in cross section and then expanded against a secondary forming surface(s) using an electromagnetic force to obtain desired shapes for the tube ends and minimize scrapping of workpiece material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John R. Bradley, Michael H. Lovell, Kevin R. Marks, Terry A. Kent, Donald W Cotton
  • Patent number: 8099939
    Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device. The device includes a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. At least one of the first and second multi-linked mechanisms is steerable and includes a modular link assembly at an end thereof. The modular link assembly includes a base, and a tip removably connected to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Brett Zubiate, Howard Choset, Amir Degani, Michael Schwerin
  • Patent number: 8099992
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exchangeable tool for holding in a receiving structure, the tool comprising: a safety device for preventing the tool from accidentally falling out of the receiving structure, which safety device has a tool releasing position and a tool locking position; energizable actuating means for actuating the safety device; and energizing means for energizing the actuating means, and to a method for exchanging such tool from a receiving structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: WILA B.V.
    Inventors: Franciscus Wilhelmus Rouweler, Gerrit Bruggink
  • Patent number: 8096162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel design of hydraulic processing pincers for processing workpieces, with a tool which, in a first tool part, has an axially displaceable tool plunger which, with a first end or with a tool provided there and an opposite work rest, forms a working region or a working gap and can be moved with the first end towards and away from the work rest, and made up of a hydraulic actuating device for applying a force to the tool plunger via a movable pressure-transmitting element, said force moving said tool plunger in the direction of the work rest. The piston and/or the piston rod are/is designed with a cavity in which the tool plunger is accommodated in its initial position at least over part of its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Heiko Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8096157
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for rolling up a metallic strip (1), in particular a steel strip, to a coil (2), the strip (1) being kept under longitudinal tension between a driver (3), consisting of at least one driver top roll (4) and at least one driver bottom roll (5), and a winding pin (6). The strip (1) is rolled up on the winding pin (6) to form the coil (2). In order to prevent the undesired opening of the wound coil in a simple manner, a bending moment (MB) is initiated in the strip, said bending moment acting perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip (1) and causing a plastic deformation when a defined remaining length of the strip (1) is reached. The invention also relates to a device for rolling up a metallic strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: SMS Demag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz-Adolf Mueller, Oalf Norman Jepsen
  • Patent number: 8091403
    Abstract: A bodymaker ram attachment has a screwed locator (60), which is fastened to a slide block (70) of the bodymaker and can be aligned to the machine. A new ram with an internal thread and location diameter is screwed onto the locator. A clamp ring (65) tightens a locking element (80) so as to fix the ram (50) to the locator (60) when screws (68), which fasten the clamp ring to the locator, are tightened. The advantage of this new attachment is that the ram can be removed quickly by loosening the clamp ring and locking element then unscrewing the ram from the locator. The ram can then be removed and replaced by sliding through the front of the machine without the need for further disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William Woulds
  • Patent number: 8091400
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for forming, in particular for cold forming, here in particular for cold extruding, a workpiece, which device has a forming die and a feed device by means of which a relative movement can be generated between the workpiece and the forming die, wherein the device has a frequency generating device which interacts with the feed device and by which the relative movement between the workpiece and the forming die, as generated by the feed device, can be modulated in such a way that following a forward stroke in which the workpiece and/or the forming die pass through a first stroke travel in the feeding direction, a movement of the forming die and/or of the workpiece can be effected in a subsequent reverse stroke, over a second stroke travel in a direction opposite to the feeding direction, and to a method for forming a workpiece wherein a relative movement between the workpiece and a forming die is generated by a feed device, which relative movement between the workpiece an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Felss GmbH
    Inventor: Fritz Binhack
  • Patent number: 8091395
    Abstract: A system, method and software arrangement are provided for generating press-formed parts having a more consistent quality based on improved determination of processing conditions. For example, an apparatus can be configured to compare actual performance values of material properties provided by a material property database with standard values, and to adjust forming conditions such as a forming speed and a blank-holder pressure in accordance with the compared result. A control arrangement can be provided to control a press-forming device using the adjusted forming conditions. Accordingly, it may be possible to reduce occurrences of defects such as cracks and wrinkles when press-forming materials, and to obtain products having consistent quality and substantially identical shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Arcelor France
    Inventors: Noriyuki Suzuki, Akihiro Uenishi, Yukihisa Kuriyama, Toshiyuki Niwa, Takuya Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 8091401
    Abstract: Thin shredder blade having blade points without steps, including blade body and cutting part located on periphery of blade body and includes a blade point. The cutting part includes a primary protrusion protruding from the cutting part. The primary protrusion includes a top, an inclined plane extending between the top and blade point, and an acute angle formed by inclined plane and blade body. The plane is an inverted triangle. The cutting part further includes first and second hemlines extending from the blade body and intersecting to the blade point. A first plane extends between the top and first hemline and intersects with the inclined plane. The blade body includes a large protrusion which protrudes in the same direction as the primary protrusion. The blade sets formed by the thin blades and the manufacturing method of the thin blades are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Aurora Office Equipment Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hsin-Hsiung Chen
  • Patent number: 8091231
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spinning method of a work piece in a non-circular cylindrical shape capable of eliminating a swollen part, without causing any creases or depressions on the formed face, by performing spinning to the swollen part produced in a region near the minor axis of the work piece in a non-circular cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nihon Spindle Mfg Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Arito
  • Patent number: 8087227
    Abstract: This invention relates to a connector, particularly to a shackle suitable for use in connecting two links of a chain or a chain to an anchor, more particularly to a connector comprising a first portion and a second portion, at least one first connector arm on the first portion and at least one second connector arm on the second portion, wherein both the first and second connector arms have multiple bearing surfaces, preferably six, and are able to engage one another when the connector is coupled by means of the bearing surfaces. The connector of the present invention has the advantage of having a break load of 1.3[0.0274 d2(44?0.08 d) kN, wherein d is the nominal diameter, and preferably a thickness of 1.3 d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Schmiedestuck-Vertrieb Feuerstein GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Feuerstein