Patents Examined by Teresa M. Bonk
  • Patent number: 7596980
    Abstract: A method for forming a container half (10) from a coated steel sheet (21) is provided. Because a first planar part (27) at an outer peripheral part of a first formed body (26) provided through a first drawing step is held by a blank holder (33) during its bending to provide an L-shaped cross-section part (36) in a second drawing step, no wrinkles will develop at a vertical part (38). Because an unnecessary outer part (44) of a flange part (46) is cut off in a trimming step, the width of the flange part is narrowed. By virtue of the narrowed width, no wrinkles will develop during bending of the flange part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shizuo Kimura, Shiro Kamiyama, Kensaku Fujita
  • Patent number: 7587922
    Abstract: A hemming machine is provided with a frame, a hemming tool support structure and a swinging drive structure. The hemming tool support structure is rotatably coupled to the frame to rotate about a center rotation axis. The hemming tool support structure includes a hemming tool disposed at a first location such that the hemming tool moves towards and away from an edge part of a workpiece that is supported on a die upon rotation of the hemming tool support structure. The swinging drive structure transmits a rotational driving force to the hemming tool support structure via a releasable connection located on a side of the center rotation axis that is opposite of the hemming tool. The releasable connection is configured to release the swinging drive structure to allow further rotational movement of the hemming tool away from the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7481089
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for increasing the range of production of an installation for cold rolling of metallic strip, consisting of at least two rolling stands operating in tandem. According to the invention, at least one of the rolling stands is equipped with means of converting the stand configuration, while keeping the same means of applying the rolling force, in order to have at least two configurations available, each corresponding to one production range, and the configuration of said convertible stand is selected to match the data of the product (M) to be rolled, thus allowing the production range to be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Vai Metals Technologies SAS
    Inventors: Marc Valence, Bernard Rossigneux
  • Patent number: 7412992
    Abstract: A wire strapping or tying device (46) is provided having a rotatable pinion-type knotter assembly (56) for twist-knotting of a pair of adjacent wire sections (50a, 50b), together with a shiftable knotter cover (266) movable between a home position for maintaining the sections (50a, 50b) within the assembly (56) and a remote knotter access position allowing ready access to the knotter assembly (56). The cover (266) is supported by arms (268, 270) which are pivotal about an axis spaced from and generally parallel with the cover (266). The cover (266) may be manually shifted to the remote knotter access position through an arc of at least 45°. Also, the knotter assembly (56) includes a primary body (128) supporting a rotatable, slotted knotter pinion (178). The body (128) is pivotally secured to frame plates (68, 70), allowing the body (128) to be pivoted to a convenient position for servicing of pinion (178).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Accent Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: John Wiedel
  • Patent number: 7392683
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a rolled edge from an edge section (11) of a tube, wherein a flanging die is driven onto the edge section and flanges it into a roll. According to the invention, an initial area (14) of the edge section (11) is previously rolled in a positive fit manner by means of a forcibly controlled tool (30). This prevents buckling of the initial area (14), which has a controlled geometry as a result of rolling. The novel method is preferably used in the production of valve seats in so-called aerosol domes (10) for spray cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Adval Tech Holding AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Lüthi, Yasar Renkci, Hans Jöhr
  • Patent number: 7392682
    Abstract: A method for coiling thin metal strip, especially hot-rolled or cold-rolled thin steel strip, on a coiler mandrel which is adjusted in diameter. At the beginning, the inner windings of the coil are coiled on the adjusted coiler mandrel diameter and, after the final winding of the coil, the coiler mandrel is pulled out or the coil is taken off. At least the first inner winding is joined over a large area with the second inner winding by introducing adhesives, fillers, pieces of metal, bonding agents, or the like into an angular space between the inner windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Klaus Bäumer, Klaus Ginsberg, Matthias Tuschhoff
  • Patent number: 7389724
    Abstract: A method and associated apparatus designed to effectively twist and cut baling wire during the baling process. The apparatus includes a twister assembly that has a plurality of gear-driven twister heads. During the baling process the twister assembly extends from a slide housing so that the twister heads engage and twist adjacent strands of baling wire. The twister assembly then retracts back into the slide housing so that the twisted portion of the baling wire is cut by a cutting assembly attached to the slide housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Marathon Equipment Company
    Inventors: Steven G. Seagraves, Richard D. Pyle
  • Patent number: 7377097
    Abstract: A chain link for a conveying chain of a machine of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular a storage device for a rod-shaped tobacco product, includes holding means for a hinge pin and a hinge pin bearing for connecting the chain link to adjacent chain links, and a carrying surface for carrying a tobacco product, which carrying surface is arranged substantially parallel to the hinge plane defined by the hinge axes. The chain link is designed laterally for cooperation with a deflection plate of the machine which rotates about a substantially vertical axis. During cooperation with the deflection plate the chain link is designed to pivot about a longitudinal pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The chain link has a guide element which cooperates with the deflection plate and which is designed in such a way that a pivot movement of the chain link about the longitudinal pivot axis is counteracted by a frictional force exerted by the deflection plate on the guide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Thomas Müller, Jan Stellmacher
  • Patent number: 7360388
    Abstract: A hollow stepped article is formed from a solid blank to reduce the material cost, and cracking is prevented in a stepped portion of large diameter when a portion of the blank is deformed by its radial expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Yamanaka, Takeshi Kazama, Masahiro Dohi
  • Patent number: 7353684
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a drum, for use in an appliance such as a dryer, that prevents noise and vibration during operation. The method involves forming a cylindrical drum; reducing a diameter at both ends of the drum; forming beads in a central part of the drum; and bending both edges of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Soon Jo Lee
  • Patent number: 7353685
    Abstract: A device for punching, stamping and/or shaping flat elements (29) includes a base body (1) with a table (18) and support (26) for the flat element (29), and a base plate (17), which supports a punch (24), and which is advanced with a drive (4,5) toward the support (26) and into a working station (II), bringing the punch (24) into contact with the support (26). A large number of successive, very short, highly precise, punching strokes make punched holes or stampings. Short stop periods and short clock times are used for fast moving flat elements (29). Transfer apparatus (9, 7; 35; 43; 46) coupled between the drive (4,5) and the base plate (17) move the base plate (17) without building up pressure from a position of rest (I) The punch (24) is not in contact with the support (26), up to immediately in front of working position (II). The base plate (17) is then moved into working position (II) while producing a high pressure between the base plate (17) and the flat element (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Peter Josef Martin, Steffen Polster, Hans Grossmann
  • Patent number: 7353846
    Abstract: A cooling fan 17 is arranged on the rear side of a twisting motor 9 of a reinforcing bar binder 1. The cooling fan is located on the axial line of the twisting motor so that cooling air effectively flows along the surface of the twisting motor and through within the twisting motor. A control unit on-off controls the cooling fan according to the temperature detected by a heat sensitive element 23 so as to actuate the cooling fan when a trigger signal is received at an interior temperature not lower than a reference value and to stop it after a predetermined time elapses. Thus, the temperature of the reinforcing bar binder can be controlled within a safe temperature range. Even if the reinforcing bar binder is run during a long time, a protecting circuit is not operated to forcibly stop the reinforcing bar binder. Further, in a cold environment, the cooling fan is not actuated so that the performance at a low temperature is not deteriorated and so power consumption can be also saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Kusakari, Atsushi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 7350387
    Abstract: A tooling assembly 10 having a first set of blades which are formed from a first material and a second set of blades which are formed from a second material. More particularly, each carbide blade of each member 62, 64, 66, and 68 is operatively disposed between two steel blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventors: Rodger A. Lisk, Manny William Peraza
  • Patent number: 7350392
    Abstract: A can end member has a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, a transition wall, and a curl. The center panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a peripheral edge. The center panel has a peripheral edge. At least a portion of the peripheral edge includes coined segment. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuck wall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuck wall with the peripheral edge of the center panel. The transition wall has a folded portion extending outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy Turner, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Randall G. Forrest
  • Patent number: 7350543
    Abstract: A reduced force sealless connection mechanism is used in a strapping machine for forming a sealless connection of strapping material overlapped onto itself. The mechanism includes an upper and a lower punch support. The upper punch support includes two punches for engaging the strapping material. The lower punch support includes one punch. The upper punch support incorporates a stepped design such that one of the two punches mounted to the upper punch support is at a different height than the other punch mounted to the upper punch support. Each of the punches includes a plurality of punching heads. At least one punching head of each of the plurality of punching heads is shorter than the other punching heads. A multi-step punching sequence is therefore created such that no more than two slits of any of the joints of the sealless connection are simultaneously punched during creation of the sealless connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Crittenden
  • Patent number: 7347073
    Abstract: A rolling mill frame for the rolling of different rolled stock which requires different rolling forces and which has working rolls, back-up rolls, optionally a roll being device for the working rolls and optionally a device for adjusting and balancing the back-up rolls. The mill has pairs of adjusting cylinders between the roll stand and the chocks of the rolls which avoid large friction losses. The adjusting cylinders are each comprised of a telescoping cylinder in which a first cylinder with a large diameter for high rolling forces and a concentric cylinder with smaller diameter for smaller rolling forces are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: SMS Demag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Denker
  • Patent number: 7343766
    Abstract: A spring manufacturing apparatus with a reduced number of driving sources, yet capable of adjusting the relative positions among the bending dices with higher precision when manufacturing a spring is to be provided. A second bending dice mounting slider and a third bending dice mounting slider are symmetrically located about a center line extended from a moving direction of a first bending dice mounting slider. An arm mechanically connects the first bending dice mounting slider and the second bending dice mounting slider, or the first bending dice mounting slider and the third bending dice mounting slider, so that either of a driving source that drives the second bending dice mounting slider or a driving source that drives the third-bending dice mounting slider moves the first bending dice mounting slider, thus to determine a winding direction of a wire for manufacturing a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Shinko Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhide Tsuritani
  • Patent number: 7343940
    Abstract: A wire comb and method for assembling an organized bundle, such as a bundled cable, from a plurality of strands using the wire comb. The wire comb includes an inner component as a hub and an outer component as a collar. The hub has slots configured to accept the plurality of strands lengthwise, and at least one projection that extends beyond an outer perimeter of the hub. The collar has at least one recess configured to interface with the projection of the hub for connecting the hub to the collar. The collar also has an opening that allows the plurality of strands to be inserted into the collar prior to connecting the hub with the collar. As such, combing can be accomplished without requiring that the wire combing commence from either end of the strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Adobe Communications Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon P. (Skip) Loeffler, Geoff J. Gomes, Dennis W. Newberry
  • Patent number: 7337647
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a gear, wherein the gear is formed on a forging process by a die having an inner peripheral surface. A plurality of top surfaces corresponding to a bottom surface of the gear and both projected side surfaces corresponding to tooth surfaces of the gear and sandwiching the top surface connect smoothly to each other. The tooth surfaces and the bottom surface of the formed gear connect to each other smoothly. The forging process is carried out as a hot forging process in which the gear is formed by a hot forging die, or the forging process is carried out as a cold forging process in which the gear is formed by a cold forging die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: O-Oka Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Shimomura, Junichi Ooka
  • Patent number: 7334610
    Abstract: A harness board fixture with improved mounting features enables better positioning and securing of an automatic cable tie tool to the fixture. The mounting features may be provided on the same side or on opposite sides of an arcuate wire bundle support surface of the fixture. When provided on a same side, multiple mounting or locating features may be located near each other. The opposite side, forming a front of the fixture, may be open to define a readily accessible wire bundle entrance and exit path. The fixture preferably includes a mounting structure for reliably receiving and releaseably holding a push mount by snap-fit and oriented substantially perpendicular to the fixture base or at an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Robert F. Levin, William A. Bernard