Patents by Inventor Robert W. Buchanan

Robert W. Buchanan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Die for pipe bending apparatus
    Patent number: 6550303
    Abstract: A die assembly for machines used to bend lengths of pipe for pipeline applications. The die assembly includes three major components, an exterior housing, a flexible die, and an eggcrate assembly. The exterior housing encompasses the flexible die and eggcrate assembly and pins into conventional bending machines. The flexible die includes a plurality of narrow plate segments positioned along a pair of tie rods. The plate segments are free floating and spaced so as to converge or diverge with respect to the direction of flex of the tie rods. The eggcrate assembly provides support for a plurality of spring plates. Each spring plate has a radius of curvature consistent with the amount of desired bend in the length of pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Dieco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John Allen Rogers, Robert W. Buchanan, John Alfred Schrawger, Jr., Danny Eugene Ford
  • Die for pipe bending apparatus
    Publication number: 20010032489
    Abstract: A die assembly for machines used to bend lengths of pipe for pipeline applications. The die assembly includes three major components, an exterior housing, a flexible die, and an eggcrate assembly. The exterior housing encompasses the flexible die and eggcrate assembly and pins into conventional bending machines. The flexible die includes a plurality of narrow plate segments positioned along a pair of tie rods. The plate segments are free floating and spaced so as to converge or diverge with respect to the direction of flex of the tie rods. The eggcrate assembly provides support for a plurality of spring plates. Each spring plate has a radius of curvature consistent with the amount of desired bend in the length of pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Applicant: Dieco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John Allen Rogers, Robert W. Buchanan, John Alfred Schrawger, Danny Eugene Ford
  • Internal mandrel for use in pipe bending
    Patent number: 5564303
    Abstract: An internal mandrel is disclosed which is used for supporting the inner wall of a pipe during bending. A plurality of unique resilient discs is provided. The discs are dome shaped with a rim at the bottom of the dome. The dome has a concave side and a convex side. The discs nest together, i.e. convex side of one into the concave side of the adjacent disc to form a resilient plug. A hydraulic cylinder applies force on the convex side of the outermost disc and the concave side of the innermost disc to deflect the rims of the disc outwardly to contact the inner wall of the pipe being bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventors: Robert W. Buchanan, Merle J. Malek