With Tool Motion In Fixed Path Patents (Class 72/386)
  • Patent number: 11014609
    Abstract: An assembly includes a suspension link, an arm, an actuator, and a lock. The arm is connected to the suspension link. The arm includes a plurality of holes. The actuator is connected to the arm. The lock includes a pin releasably engageable with the plurality of holes of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Anthony Quatrano, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Jay Bains, Andrew Niedert, Matthew Malenfant
  • Patent number: 10576522
    Abstract: To provide a mold for a press brake in which an ascending and descending member that is relatively pressed and lowered by an upper table in a press brake is provided vertically movably with respect to a mold base mountable on a lower table in the press brake, an upper surface of a workpiece supporting member provided in the mold base and a lower surface of a workpiece pressing member provided in the ascending and descending member vertically face each other, and the upper surface of the workpiece supporting member is inclined so that a front side thereof becomes relatively lower than the lower surface of the workpiece pressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: AMADA HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yingjun Jin, Takahiro Shibata, Shiro Hayashi, Shin Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9643228
    Abstract: A panel flange bending tool is disclosed, which includes a head coupled to an arm. The head includes a panel engaging portion, first and second bending corners, and an abutment. The panel engaging portion includes a flange slot having a slot plane extending in a proximal direction from a distal slot opening to a proximal slot end, the slot opening sized to receive a panel flange. The first bending corner is aligned with the flange slot, and the first and second bending corners define a first bending plane. The abutment extends proximal of the first and second bending corners. The second bending corner and the abutment define a second bending plane. The slot plane, the first bending plane, and the second bending plane intersect each other triangularly at first and second internal bending angles. The first and second internal bending angles are less than or equal to 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: CARTER FABRICATING INC.
    Inventors: Miguel Antonio Moore Libreiro, Joel Adam McKinley
  • Patent number: 8950234
    Abstract: Disclosed are a bending roller apparatus and methods for use thereof for repairing a control arm of automotive suspension. An example apparatus includes a base having a saddle supporting a matrix to which the control arm is removably affixed. The matrix provides longitudinal and lateral movements and rotation of the control arm in a horizontal plane. The apparatus includes a matrix position calibration means for calibrating longitudinal, lateral and rotary positions of the matrix. The apparatus includes a bending roller positioning means for calibrating vertical and longitudinal positions of a bending roller to bring the bending roller in a contact with the upward-extending flange. The apparatus further includes bending roller means for bending the upward-extending flange inwards by rolling the bending roller along the circumference of the flange while applying a downward force on the flange thereby bending it inwards and sealing off the ball stud in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Vitaliy V. Katok
  • Patent number: 8800337
    Abstract: A lead pin correction device includes a holding unit holding an electronic device having lead pins; a pressing unit pressing the electronic device held by the holding unit in an extending direction of the lead pins; and a correction fixture including holes having a shape corresponding to a shape of the lead pins after correction. Further, the shape of the lead pins is corrected so as to fit the shape of the holes by inserting the lead pins into the holes by pressing the electronic device with the pressing unit while distal ends of the lead pins are inserted into the holes, the electronic device being held by the holding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Fujita
  • Publication number: 20140144201
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for bending a metal conduit. A structural framework defines an elongated rectangular planar layout surface sized to continuously contact the metal conduit in support while making a bend mark on the metal conduit. A coordinate reference measures a placement of the bend mark on the metal conduit. A grooved bending shoe is mounted to the framework and configured to bend the metal conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventor: Doyle Elder
  • Patent number: 8683679
    Abstract: A pre-forming apparatus (4) for an electrical bar conductor (8), comprising a punch (12) provided with moving members for exerting a thrust on the conductor (8) during the relative pre-forming, the punch (12) being axially sliding along a pre-forming direction (X-X) and being provided with a cursor (20) and with a pre-forming head (24) suitable for engaging with the conductor (8). The apparatus (4) comprises a first pre-forming chamber (44) suitable for being crossed by the conductor (8) and by the punch (12) during the forward movement of the punch (12) for the pre-forming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tecnomatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Sante Guercioni
  • Patent number: 8671731
    Abstract: A noise damping shim for a friction assembly is produced by a pre-slit step and a bend and blank step. The pre-slit step forms pre-slits in a shim material at locations where tabs of a noise damping shim are to be formed. The bend and blank step bends each of the tabs at a bent angle relative to the shim material while simultaneously blanking a shim body from the shim material to produce a noise damping shim having bent tabs extending outwardly from a periphery of the shim body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Util Canada Limited
    Inventors: M. Reza Latifi, Jerzy Kryspin
  • Patent number: 8640520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bending device of which a beam is inserted between laminated moldings formed by slidably layering a plurality of molding plates, and the bending device of which deformation of the laminated moldings may simultaneously realize bending of up and down directions and side directions of a curved portion of a beam, and thus the bending device may realize a 3-dimensional bending process at once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sungwoo Hitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mun-Yong Lee, Sang-Eon Park
  • Publication number: 20130205859
    Abstract: A tool assembly for shaping an impingement shield for use with a turbine engine is provided. The tool assembly includes a bracket, a connecting member, and at least one support member. The connecting member is coupled to a force device and a zipper strip that is coupled to the impingement shield. The support member is positioned on the impingement shield via pads that are moveable to accommodate the contour of the impingement shield. By pulling the zipper strip, the zipper strip may be straightened and/or the impingement shield may be shaped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald Lee Souther
  • Publication number: 20130180306
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a swage assembly that is movable from a compliant configuration having a first shape to a substantially non-compliant configuration having a second shape. In one aspect, an expansion swage for expanding a wellbore tubular is provided. The expansion swage includes a body and a solid cone disposed on the body. The expansion swage further includes a deformable cone disposed on the body, wherein the solid cone is made from a first material and the deformable cone is made from a second material and wherein the deformable cone is movable relative to the body when the expansion swage is in a compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a wellbore tubular is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventor: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
  • Patent number: 8375763
    Abstract: A folding device is provided for the processing of workpieces and includes, but is not limited to a holding device for the holding of a workpiece in a processing position in a holding plane and a folding slide for the folding over of an edge of the workpiece into a folding position. The folding slide at least includes, but is not limited to a first folding surface and a second folding surface. The first folding surface with the second folding surface forms an angle ?, the first folding surface with the holding plane forms an angle ?1 and the second folding surface with the holding plane forms an angle ?2 and the first folding surface and the second folding surface are intended for pressing onto the workpiece during the folding over of an edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Herbert Bauer, Reimund Ewald, Peter Nold, Gregor Ruf
  • Patent number: 8371150
    Abstract: Provided is a forming die, including a movable supporting member, a movable die, a fixed supporting member and a fixed die. The movable supporting member disposes an oblique sliding groove. The movable die disposes an oblique guiding surface engaged with the oblique sliding groove. The movable die disposes a forming portion, which includes a forming base and a protruding portion extending downward from the forming base. The movable die can tilted move along the oblique sliding groove. The fixed die disposes a flange having a high point. The forming die of the present invention employs the movable die tilted moving along the oblique sliding groove to make the protruding portion extend into the back space of the high point, so that no gap exists between a bending portion of a terminal and the flange for obtaining the bending portion having a large bending degree and having a stable size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sen-hsiung Hu, Dong-hua Tan, Yong-ping Wu
  • Patent number: 8296922
    Abstract: A method for producing low-springback half shells made of a metal, in particular steel or a steel alloy, includes drawing in at least one drawing die a blank, such that the blanks have flange regions on the deep drawn body after the deep drawing. The flange regions are shaped by upsetting a corner substantially perpendicularly to a wall of the deep drawn region of the blank and the flange regions are subsequently trimmed in a shearing die, such that half shells without margins are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventors: Thomas Flehmig, Lothar Hömig, Konstantinos Savvas
  • Patent number: 8250762
    Abstract: Projections of a bevel gear or a vibrating body are formed by bending a metal-made plate member having a plurality of projections so as to direct them in the same direction and make their projecting direction include a component of out-of-plane direction and subsequently applying a load to the bent plate member to crush the projections so as to reduce the height thereof and increase the plate thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Tamai
  • Patent number: 8245557
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bending press or “press brake” for bending metal sheets, wherein the press includes at least one linking rod, which rod is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the movement direction, having one end that is fastened to the deformable portion of the second table and having its other end fastened to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Amada Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Philippe Jacquet, Bjarne Hansen
  • Publication number: 20120144892
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pre-hemming apparatus for a door belt part for a vehicle. The apparatus includes a cam driver and a main punch pressing steel, and a cam device. The cam driver and the main punch pressing steel are installed at an upper die, and they are configured to drive the cam device installed at a lower die. The cam device installed at the lower die performs a hemming operation on a panel through a forward and backward motion and a linkage motion. The hemming apparatus performs the hemming operation including a first shifting process, a pre-hemming process, a second shifting process, and a main hemming process by allowing the cam driver and the main punch pressing steel to be linked with the cam device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Un Si Jung, Gwang Jun Je
  • Publication number: 20120096916
    Abstract: An applicator ram includes a ram body configured to hold crimp tooling, and a ram adaptor coupled to the ram body. The ram adaptor is configured to be coupled to a terminator ram. The ram adaptor includes an adaptor hub having a hub chamber configured to receive a ram post of the terminator ram. A latch mechanism is movably received in the hub chamber. The latch mechanism is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch mechanism is configured to engage the ram post in the latched position. The latch mechanism allows the ram post to be released from the hub chamber in the unlatched position. An adaptor stud extends from the adaptor hub and is configured to be coupled to the applicator ram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRIAN KEITH WEAVER, KERRY JOSEPH STAKEM
  • Patent number: 8056386
    Abstract: An exemplary pin bending device (200) includes a base (210), a sliding member (230), a fixing member (240), and a latch member (250). The sliding member (230) is slidably positioned on the base and defines a plurality of holes (2303) for receiving first portions of pins. The fixing member is fixed on the base. The latch member is movably positioned on the base. The latch member is able to move towards the fixing member in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the sliding member and engage with the fixing member to fix second portions of the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Nan Ou, Bin Wang, Cheng-Bin Su, Jian-Long Xing, Ga-Lei Hu
  • Publication number: 20110132061
    Abstract: A fixed support for a metal sheet drawing machine. In one implementation the fixed support includes a window through which metal sheet to be drawn passes, and a holder which holds the metal sheet within the window as the metal sheet is drawn. The fixed support is stationary in relation to the drawing machine and includes a suspending structure that maintains a base of the fixed support a distance from any other surfaces during the sheet drawing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: FAGOR, S.COOP.
    Inventors: Eduardo Beltrán de Nanclares Echezarreta, David Chico García, Oscar González Mora
  • Publication number: 20110094284
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for straightening an article are disclosed. The apparatus and method disclosed provide for the conservation of metal, reduction waste worldwide, and the extension of the useful life for an article. The apparatus may comprise an actuator, an endpiece coupled to the actuator, the endpiece including two arms, the arms defining a space therebetween; and a support member including two rails, the rails defining a space therebetween. Upon activation of the actuator, the arms engage the article disposed on the rails. Also, the space between the arms is aligned with the space between the rails. Both spaces are adapted to receive article portions such that portions within the spaces are not engaged by the arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Zaloudek
  • Publication number: 20100269561
    Abstract: A bending tool that may be used for bending elongated works and in which the works are not likely to be damaged is provided. An angle formed by a blade parting line L1, L2 and an outside edge of a blade of each die is made larger than an angle formed by the blade parting line L1, L2 and an inside edge. An inner end edge of the bending block of one of dies is chamfered to be parallel to the outside edge of the blade and the inside edge is shorter than the length of the inner end edge 16C, 26C. The blade parting line L1 of one of the dies is located at a position further toward the blade parting line L2 of the other of the dies with respect to the center of the space between the blade parting line and the inner end edge of the bending block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Osamu MAKINO
  • Publication number: 20100257914
    Abstract: A bending tool that may be used for bending elongated works and in which the works are not likely to be damaged is provided. An angle formed by a blade parting line L1 or L2 and an outside edge (e.g., 55 degrees) of each die (having an angle of a blade edge of, e.g., 90 degrees) is made larger than an angle formed by the blade parting line L1 or L2 and an inside edge (e.g., 35 degrees). The blade parting line L1 or L2 of one of the dies is located at a predetermined position further toward the blade parting line L2 or L1 of the other of the dies with respect to the center of the space between the blade parting line L2 or L1 and the inner end edge of the bending block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Osamu MAKINO
  • Publication number: 20100251797
    Abstract: Bending machine, in particular a folding press (1), comprising a machine frame (2), a press table (3) supporting a lower die (5) and connected to the machine frame (2), a press beam (7) supporting an upper die (8) and adjustable along a guide (11) on the machine frame (2) in the direction (12) of the press table (3) as well as at least one adjusting member (13) for adjusting the press beam (7) in the direction (12) of the press table (3) with two relatively adjustable adjusting elements (15, 17), wherein a first adjusting element (15) of the adjusting member (13) is drive-connected by means of a first connecting element (24) to the adjustable press beam (7). In this case a second adjusting element (17) of the adjusting member (13) is drive-connected by means of a second connecting element (25) in or below a horizontal reference plane (27) running through a press table bearing surface (4) to the machine frame (2) or the press table (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: TRUMPF MASCHINEN AUSTRIA GMBH & CO. KG.
    Inventor: Gerhard Sperrer
  • Patent number: 7802459
    Abstract: A bender for conduit which may make ninety degree bends in a length of conduit. The bender includes a bending frame, a bending deck, a rising shoe assembly and a traveling shoe assembly. A length of conduit is oriented parallel to the bending deck and then a desired portion of the conduit inserted into the traveling shoe assembly and a corresponding portion of the conduit is inserted into the rising shoe assembly. The rising shoe assembly is translated along an axis substantially perpendicular to the bending deck. The traveling shoe assembly is then translated along an axis substantially parallel to the bending deck. The complimentary translations of the rising shoe assembly and traveling shoe assembly cooperatively make a ninety degree bend in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventors: James Lee Lovsin, Ryan Daniel Sochol, James Michael Worth, Erin Virdone
  • Publication number: 20100229619
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a press brake for bending metal sheets wherein: at least one stopper is disposed in each slot, each stopper comprising a first wedge having a first end secured to the first slot edge and a second end forming a first surface, and a second wedge having a first end secured to the second slot edge and a second end forming a first surface; and the first surface of at least one of the first and second wedges has a central portion that is domed or protuberant relative to the other portions of said surface so that the contact between the first and the second wedges is established essentially over said central portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Amada Europe
    Inventor: Bjarne Hansen
  • Publication number: 20100199742
    Abstract: A system and method for incrementally forming a workpiece. A first manipulator is configured to move a first tool in multiple directions along a first surface of a workpiece. A second manipulator is configured to move a second tool in multiple directions along a second surface of the workpiece. The first and second tools move along first and second predetermined paths of motion and exert force to form the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Carl Frederick Johnson, Vijitha Senaka Kiridena, Feng Ren, Zhiyong Cedric Xia
  • Publication number: 20100101297
    Abstract: A folding device is provided for the processing of workpieces and includes, but is not limited to a holding device for the holding of a workpiece in a processing position in a holding plane and a folding slide for the folding over of an edge of the workpiece into a folding position. The folding slide at least includes, but is not limited to a first folding surface and a second folding surface. The first folding surface with the second folding surface forms an angle ?, the first folding surface with the holding plane forms an angle ?1 and the second folding surface with the holding plane forms an angle ?2 and the first folding surface and the second folding surface are intended for pressing onto the workpiece during the folding over of an edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Herbert Bauer, Reimund Ewald, Peter Nold, Gregor Ruf
  • Publication number: 20100018283
    Abstract: The invention relates to a folding device (1) for a bending press, in particular an edging press for a 180°-folding brace on a workpiece (2) with a forming die (3) comprising a V-groove and a forming stamp (4) adjustable thereto and comprising a wedge extension (26) and with a folding die (5) arranged adjacent to the forming die (3) and forming a support surface (33) in a plane (23) extending perpendicular to an adjustment direction of the forming stamp (4). A tool mount (7) with the forming die (3) and the folding die (5) is arranged adjustably on an upper side (18) of a table beam (9), in a direction perpendicular to a bending plane (22), forming a gap (27) for mounting the wedge extension (26) for the folding procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Tidl, Heinz Leumuller
  • Publication number: 20100011832
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new bending apparatus and bending method of a tube material which makes it possible to achieve all of bending by a large bending radius not requiring large scale equipment or die, bending resistant to wrinkling and buckling at an inner side of the bending, and bending with a high productivity, that is, a ram bending apparatus using a punch 12 and a set of rolls 13, 13 for three-point bending of a tube material wherein the punch 12 has a groove 12a of a width of the width of a circular tube 11 or more and wherein the set of rolls 13, 13 are supported by a frame 14. The rolls 13, 13 can freely move on the frame 14 in directions away from each other in a state contacting the punch 12. The frame 14 has a hollow space 14a enabling free movement of the descending punch 12 and the circular tube 11 bent along with this during the bending of the circular tube 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Masaaki Mizumura, Yukihisa Kuriyama
  • Publication number: 20090308130
    Abstract: A method for utilizing a bending machine die layout, the method including the steps of: designating a bending machine die layout; extracting a region, in the designated die layout, where a punch and a die face each other, as a virtual die stage; and assigning the extracted virtual die stage to each bend line using a sheet metal shape model of a working part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: AMADA COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Akira Senba
  • Publication number: 20090266136
    Abstract: An exemplary pin bending device (200) includes a base (210), a sliding member (230), a fixing member (240), and a latch member (250). The sliding member (230) is slidably positioned on the base and defines a plurality of holes (2303) for receiving first portions of pins. The fixing member is fixed on the base. The latch member is movably positioned on the base. The latch member is able to move towards the fixing member in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the sliding member and engage with the fixing member to fix second portions of the pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO. LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: CHUN-NAN OU, BIN WANG, CHENG-BIN SU, JIAN-LONG XING, GA-LEI HU
  • Publication number: 20090211326
    Abstract: A tool includes first and second tool parts that move toward one another, at least one processing device provided on the first tool part, and at least two counter devices provided on the second tool part. The processing device and the counter devices are rotatable relative to one another about at least one positioning axis, and the counter devices are aligned relative to one another along a direction of relative rotational movement of the processing device and the counter devices. The processing device and a first counter device are allocated to one another by at least a first defined processing parameter, and the processing device and a second counter device are allocated to one another by at least a second defined processing parameter. The first processing parameter is different than the second processing parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicants: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG, Trumpf, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Laib, Rainer Hank, Martin Steiner, Martin Decker, Carl Peterhansel
  • Publication number: 20090165527
    Abstract: A bending head for bending the peripheral edge of a sheet of material, the bending head being usable with a power source. The bending head includes an anvil member, the anvil member defining a substantially elongated anvil surface. A hammer member is movable relatively to the anvil member substantially perpendicularly to the anvil surface. An actuator is provided for receiving power from the power source, the actuator being operatively coupled to the hammer member for moving the hammer member relatively to the anvil member when the power source powers the actuator. The hammer member defines a hammer surface, the hammer surface being substantially elongated, the hammer surface substantially opposing the anvil surface so as to define a gap therebetween. The gap defines an entry point and a substantially longitudinally opposed exit point. The sheet of material is movable along the gap between the entry and exit points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Andre' Lechasseur
  • Publication number: 20090049879
    Abstract: A rotary fill slide assembly for a sheet metal forming die that has a working element that performs an operation on a portion of a sheet metal blank. The rotary fill slide assembly has a motor that is controlled based upon a press cycle timing mechanism. The rotary fill slide is assembled to the die to fill a space adjacent to a portion of the blank when the blank is in position for the working element to perform the operation on the blank. A linkage connects the motor to the rotary fill slide. The motor drives the linkage in synchronization with the press cycle to fill the space during the period of time that the working element performs the operation on the blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Pierre Genereux, Diane Xu
  • Patent number: 7490501
    Abstract: A method is provided for processing a product formed by a punch press. The method includes leaving a micro joint connecting a workpiece to a raw material forming the product when forming a slit in the workpiece along an outer shape of the raw material. The method also includes forming the product by bending a bending process portion downward on the basis of a cooperation of an upper metal mold and a lower metal mold. The method further includes dropping the product by separating the connection between the product and the workpiece by the micro joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventor: Shigeru Endo
  • Publication number: 20080302164
    Abstract: Devices and methods for manufacturing fittings (2) with different ends (3, 4) are disclosed, such fittings permitting different measures of connection. For example, one fitting (2) is a threaded end connector with its one end (4) being potentially configured as a compression fitting and its other end (3) as a thread-bearing end. An intermediate section (5) having preferably a polygonal cross-section is provided between the two ends (3, 4). Starting with a pipe piece (1), the manufacture takes place in a few process-safe method steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Witzig & Frank GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Bauer, Manfred Konig, Bernd Koschig
  • Patent number: 7080540
    Abstract: This invention is a device for forming heat exchange elements with corrugated heat exchange surfaces, more particularly inserts, made of a sheet in a formable material, such as metal, between two surfaces, each thus presenting a corrugated profile. This device is of the type comprising at least two plates whose opposing faces present the said corrugated profiles and which are offset from each other so as to define between them a space to take the sheet to be formed (2). The device is distinguished by the fact that the profiles (A and B) are configured in such a way that their displacement in the direction of the thickness of the insert is constant along the corrugations in the space between the profiles. The invention can be used for the production of inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Societe d'Etudes et de Constructions Aero-Navales
    Inventors: Daniel Taillepied, Catherine Fourmont, André Rolland
  • Patent number: 6792785
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bending die in which the fixed die 1 and the rotary die 2 are surface contacted to each other, the rotary die 2 is rotated rearward after press forming to cause the workpiece 3 to be moved away from the die, wherein the contact surface 9 between the fixed die 1 and the rotary die 2 is formed in a flat surface. In addition, the present invention is set such that the rotary center point P of the rotary die 2 is set outside the line 10 drawn from one end C1 of the linear line indicating the contact surface 9 of the rotary die 2 in a direction of right angle in respect to the linear line when the contact surface 9 is seen in a section of a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotary die 2. With such an arrangement as above, a machining of the contact surface 9 can be facilitated more and under a lower cost than those as compared with those forming the arcuate surface as found in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Yourbusiness Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadatoshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 6660114
    Abstract: In a method for making a hybrid leaf spring, at least one layer of composite material is molded onto a primary leaf using a mold with an interior cavity having a curvature for receiving the primary leaf at a depressed camber relative to its initial camber. The depressed camber is between unloaded and curb load cambers of the hybrid leaf spring. The primary leaf and the layer of composite material are positioned in the mold adjacent to one another and with a layer of adhesive therebetween. The layer of adhesive is cured for bonding together the primary leaf and the layer of composite material at the depressed camber so as to generally eliminate bond line shear stress when the camber of the hybrid leaf spring is at the curb height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Composites
    Inventors: Frank Meatto, Edward Pilpel, D. Michael Gordon, David C. Gordon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6474125
    Abstract: A hemming machine for sheet metal is disclosed having a base adapted to be supported on a ground support surface. A cradle is vertically slidably mounted to the base while a nest is mounted to the cradle and adapted to support the part to be hemmed. Hemming tooling is mounted to the base and movable between an extended position in which the hemming tooling overlies the nest, and a retracted position in which the hemming tooling is spaced laterally outwardly from the nest. A pair of spaced ball screws are rotatably mounted to the base and threadably connected to the cradle on opposite sides of the nest so that rotation of the ball screws vertically displaces the cradle relative to the base. A single drive motor is drivingly connected through a two speed gear box to both ball screws to rotatably drive the ball screws in synchronism with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Valiant Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Saint Denis, Ray Cote, Louis Raffin, Lee Harrison
  • Patent number: 6128941
    Abstract: A pipe bending machine includes a horizontal pipe support platform defining a horizontal pipe feed channel. A first pipe engaging member is positioned on a first side of the pipe feed channel. A second pipe engaging member and a third pipe engaging member are arranged in spaced relation on a second side of the pipe feed channel. Either the first pipe engaging member or the second pipe engaging member and third pipe engaging member are movable into the pipe feed channel, thereby exerting a bending force upon a pipe positioned in the pipe feed channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: BendKing Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin James Russell
  • Patent number: 5979208
    Abstract: An apparatus constructed to be received within an interior opening of a sheet metal panels to form a pre-hem and a complete hem about the periphery of the opening with a plurality of generally radially outwardly movable hemming plates or steels which are driven by an actuator to move from a retracted position within the opening to an extended position overlying a portion of the periphery of the opening to pre-hem a flange about the periphery of the opening. With the hem steels in their extended position, a second actuator displaces the steels towards the sheet metal panels to complete the folding or final hemming of the flange about the periphery of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: UNOVA IP Corp.
    Inventor: William R. Hartley
  • Patent number: 5953951
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for manufacturing a bent product by press bending a malleable material. The bent product is bent along the lengthwise axis and has a bottom wall and at least one sidewall in cross section. The apparatus preferably includes a die having within its surface a recess. The recess is bent along the lengthwise axis. The apparatus also includes a punch that may be inserted into the recess of the die. The die and the punch substantially correspond to each other such that the die and the punch include a first portion having a first bend radius corresponding to a lengthwise bend in the bent product and a second portion having a second bend radius corresponding to a linear region of the bend product. If the first bend radius is smaller than the second bend radius, chamfered faces formed in the die and punch are shallower and narrower in the first bend radius than the second bend radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Fujimoto, Takeo Muro
  • Patent number: 5934132
    Abstract: An offset conduit bender has a pair of shoes which are pivotally connected to one another so that axes of the shoes remain parallel. Each shoe has a specially shaped groove in it for receiving a tube inserted into the grooves and which support the tube as the tube is bent. The grooves also have straight sections for quickly inserting a tube into the grooves from the side of the grooves. The amount of offset is accurately adjustable by a stop which is provided beneath the movable one of the shoes and the axial position of the offset relative to one end of the tube is accurately adjusted by another tube end stop. In addition, inner and outer tube deburring tools can be provided on the bender, and the bender is preferably mounted on a portable cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Applied Power Inc.
    Inventor: Brian W. Nichol
  • Patent number: 5765427
    Abstract: The press comprises two tool holders facing each other (28a, 28b), capable of relative movement one towards the other and back again. Each tool holder carries a bending tool (40a, 40b) and a clamping tool (42a, 42b). The tool holders (28a, 28b) are in addition capable of relative movement between two working positions in one of which the rear edge (46a) of a tool holder (28a) is so positioned as to cooperate, in order to bend the sheet (L) in a first direction, with a front edge (44b) of the bending tool (40b) of the other tool holder (28b), and the clamping tool (42b) of the other tool holder (28b) is immediately opposite the tool of the first tool holder (28a) in order to cooperate with it through the interposed sheet (L). In the other working position, the functions of the edges of the bending tools and the functions of the clamping tools are reversed in order to carry out the bend in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Antonio Codatto
  • Patent number: 5640873
    Abstract: A punch and die assembly includes a punch plate that is displaced in a selected direction of travel to carry the punch toward the die. The punch simultaneously moves laterally with respect to the punch plate and moves rectilinearly divergently away from the direction of travel of the punch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Arvid Bennett Costabile
  • Patent number: 5481896
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for bending a sheet die cutting knife to a specified shape, in which a knife is supported by a supporting mechanism and a clamping mechanism in connection with the upper face of the surface plate and bent by a bending mechanism in which the edge portion of the bending die which constitutes the bending mechanism is brought into contact, through vibrations and drive, with the knife side opposite to the direction along which the knife is about to be bent, by alternatively repeating a specified staying time and knife feeding time by the knife feeding mechanism every time such a bending process is carried out. This makes it possible to bend the knife to various shapes by properly changing the operating time of the bending mechanism and the feeding mechanism with a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Itami Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuji Yanagimoto
  • Patent number: 5353622
    Abstract: A pipe bending apparatus (10) for bending a section of pipe (100) at a desired location; wherein, the apparatus (10) comprises; a floating central hinge plate member (40) pivotally connected on opposite ends to a pair of bending bed members (30) which move the section of pipe (100) against a pipe bending template (50) in response to the actuation of a hydraulic unit (15) to produce a bend in the section of pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: Ronald E. Theener
  • Patent number: 5222384
    Abstract: A reciprocating bender for conduit which may make equal and opposite bends in a length of conduit. The reciprocating bender includes a bending deck, a traveling bending shoe, a rising bending shoe, a jack, and a stabilizer. The conduit is placed adjacent the traveling and rising bending shoes, and the stabilizer holds the conduit in place. The jack elevates the rising bending shoe above the deck, causing the conduit to make both equal and opposite bends about the two bending shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Roland J. Evans