Patents Examined by Debra M Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7028519
    Abstract: A method of quick-plastic-forming a component from a sheet metal blank in multiple forming stages of single-action tooling along a transfer line. The blank is transferred from a prebending station to a preforming station along the transfer line, wherein the blank is preformed by a single-action forming tool into a preform blank. The preform blank is then transferred from the preforming station to a finish-forming station along the transfer line, wherein the blank is finish-formed by a single-action forming tool into the component. The component is transferred from the finish-forming station to a cooling station along the transfer line. The transfer steps are carried out by a reciprocating transfer mechanism that simultaneously transfers the blanks and component from station to station along the transfer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chongmin Kim, Gary A. Kruger
  • Patent number: 7021107
    Abstract: A bending processor for a pipe has a pipe bending unit and a pipe twisting unit. The pipe bending unit is rotated by a predetermined angle while pressing the processed pipe against the circumferential face of a bending die, and performs the bending processing. The pipe bending unit may be movable in the longitudinal direction of the processed pipe or may be fixed. The pipe twisting unit is freely rotated by a predetermined angle with the center of the processed pipe as an axis. The pipe bending unit has a tensile bending function and a compression bending function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Limited
    Inventor: Shigeru Saegusa
  • Patent number: 7007537
    Abstract: A work piece has an interior cylindrical component. The interior cylindrical component is composed of a beam. The beam is adapted to apply pressure to remove the work piece. An intermediate cylindrical component has four radial spaced cylindrical control arms, an interior flange and an exterior pair of semi-conical molding adapted to receive a work piece. An exterior cylinder housing is adapted to house the interior component and the intermediate component. The exterior cylinder housing has a plurality of bores and a conical recess. The conical recess is adapted to receive the molding arms of the intermediate cylindrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Omni-Lite Industries International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Brown, Michael Kenneth Walker
  • Patent number: 6986274
    Abstract: A hydraulic tool including a frame having a hydraulic conduit system; a ram movably connected to the frame; and a multi-speed ram advancement system for advancing the ram in at least two different rates of movement on the frame. The multi-speed ram advancement system includes a hydraulic pump connected to the hydraulic conduit system of the frame; and a conduit tube extending into a hydraulic chamber inside the ram and fixedly connected to the frame. The conduit tube is adapted to conduit hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic conduit system into the hydraulic chamber inside the ram. The conduit tube is axially rotatably connected to the frame and longitudinally stationarily fixed to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Lefavour, Armand T. Montminy, Thomas Faucher
  • Patent number: 6983633
    Abstract: A hemming tool providing a plurality of rollers for forming a hem flange. The rollers are disposed on an end effector that includes a pair of links that connect a tool support to a stationary bracket. The tool support and stationary bracket are shiftably mounted relative to each other in the manner of a four-bar link and shift relative to each other against the force of a force transducer or spring that moderates the force applied by the hemming tool to a workpiece by the selected roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mats Holmgren, Magnus Mattsson, Mikael Stigsson