Embodying Three Or More Tools (e.g., Tube Expander) Patents (Class 72/393)
  • Patent number: 6742606
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for drilling and lining a wellbore in one downhole trip. The method comprises mounting a drill bit on a drill string including a section of expandable tubing and providing a tubing expander in the string, then rotating the drill bit and advancing the drill string through a bore, then passing the expander through the expandable tubing to expand the tubing, wherein the expandable tubing is deformed by compressive plastic deformation of the tubing with a localised reduction in wall thickness, resulting in a subsequent increase in tubing diameter, and then retrieving the drill bit from the bore through the expanded tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Metcalfe, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 6702030
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for shaping pipes, tubes, liners, or casing at downhole locations in wells. Use is made of rollers bearing radially outwards against the inside wall of the pipe (etc.), the rollers being rolled around the pipe to cause outward plastic deformation which expands and shapes the pipe to a desired profile. Where one pipe is inside another, the two pipes can be joined without separate components (except optional seals). Landing nipples and liner hangers can be formed in situ. valves can be deployed to a selected downhole location and there sealed to the casing or liner without separate packers. Casing can be deployed downhole in reduced-diameter lengths and then expanded to case a well without requiring larger diameter bores and casing further uphole. The invention enables simplified downhole working, and enables a well to be drilled & produced with the minimum downhole bore throughout its depth, obviating the need for large bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 6672128
    Abstract: A hand tool for expanding hollow bodies contains a casing (2) having a laterally extending first hand lever (3). A second hand lever, (7) which consists of steel and is joined to the casing so as to pivot on a shaft (5), bears a pinion sector (6) surrounding the shaft (5). The two hand levers (3, 7) form a pliers In the casing (2) a bore is disposed for guiding a rack consisting of steel, one end of which cooperates within the bore with the pinion sector (6) such that an expansion wedge can be displaced outwardly by a closing movement of the two hand levers (3, 7). The casing has means by which an expansion head with radially moving expander jaws can be placed coaxially onto the outwardly tapered end of the spreading wedge. To reduce both the weight and the force required for operation, the casing (2) and its hand lever (3) consist of a light material from the plastic and light metal group. The casing (2) thus forms together with the rack a low-friction combination of light material and steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Rothenberger Werkeuge Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ewald Wagner, Manfred Waltersdorf, Michael Judis
  • Publication number: 20030226390
    Abstract: A hand tool for expanding hollow bodies contains a casing (2) having a laterally extending first hand lever (3). A second hand lever, (7) which consists of steel and is joined to the casing so as to pivot on a shaft (5), bears a pinion sector (6) surrounding the shaft (5). The two hand levers (3, 7) form a pliers In the casing (2) a bore is disposed for guiding a rack consisting of steel, one end of which cooperates within the bore with the pinion sector (6) such that an expansion wedge can be displaced outwardly by a closing movement of the two hand levers (3, 7). The casing has means by which an expansion head with radially moving expander jaws can be placed coaxially onto the outwardly tapered end of the spreading wedge. To reduce both the weight and the force required for operation, the casing (2) and its hand lever (3) consist of a light material from the plastic and light metal group. The casing (2) thus forms together with the rack a low-friction combination of light material and steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Ewald Wagner, Manfred Waltersdorf, Michael Judis
  • Patent number: 6619099
    Abstract: The movement of an expander by actuation of a manual hydraulic pump in a hydraulically powered flaring hand tool contacts die elements so as to move the die elements radially outward to flare hollow malleable cylindrical tubing. The tool has a manual hydraulic pump for producing movement of a shaft, an adjuster member coupled to the manual hydraulic pump, permitting the shaft to slide through the adjuster member, an expander coupled to the shaft end, and a die set having a plurality of die elements, the die set is coupled to the adjuster member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mastercool, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Barjesteh
  • Patent number: 6601279
    Abstract: A piston pulling apparatus constructed like a mandrel; having top and bottom ends and a cylindric periphery body defined by an array of piston bowl gripping segments having tops and bottoms and lying longitudinally between the top and bottom ends. The top end and the proximate tops of segments are held to each other with a fixed radius and circumference. The bottom end and its proximate array of bottoms are coupled to enable the radial expansion of the array from its bottoms. A threaded shaft lies axially within the body and is coupled to the bottom end to move it vertically upward axially, to displace the segment array bottoms radially, to increase the effective circumference of this apparatus near its bottom end; which, during the expansion, can be positioned to grip the inner sides of a piston bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Robert T. Scott
  • Patent number: 6584824
    Abstract: An improved wheel rim expanding tooling apparatus includes an inboard and an outboard wheel rim expanding tooling assembly. The inboard wheel rim expanding tooling assembly includes a plurality of segmented inboard press members each including a pair of side surfaces. The side surfaces include a first outer section and a second inner section. The first outer section extends radially inwardly a first radial distance and the second inner section extends radially inwardly a second radial distance which is greater than the first radial distance. The first outer section of the inboard press members is provided with a generally curved surface profile which extends across at least a portion of an axial width thereof. The outboard wheel rim expanding tooling assembly includes a plurality of segmented outboard press members each including a pair of side surfaces. The side surfaces include a first outer section and a second inner section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Peterson, Garth Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6578630
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for expanding tubulars in a wellbore. In one aspect of the invention, an expansion tool with hydraulically actuated, radially expandable members is disposed on a string of coil tubing. In another aspect of the invention the apparatus is utilized to expand a tubular lining a lateral wellbore into contact with a window of a larger tubular lining a central wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil A. A. Simpson, David Haugen
  • Patent number: 6543552
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for drilling and lining a wellbore in one downhole trip. The method comprises mounting a drill bit on a drill string including a section of expandable tubing and providing a tubing expander in the string, then rotating the drill bit and advancing the drill string through a bore, then passing the expander through the expandable tubing to expand the tubing, wherein the expandable tubing is deformed by compressive plastic deformation of the tubing with a localised reduction in wall thickness, resulting in a subsequent increase in tubing diameter, and then retrieving the drill bit from the bore through the expanded tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Metcalfe, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 6457532
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for shaping pipes, tubes, liners, or casing at downhole locations in wells. Use is made of rollers bearing radially outwards against the inside wall of the pipe (etc.), the rollers being rolled around the pipe to cause outward plastic deformation which expands and shapes the pipe to a desired profile. Where one pipe is inside another, the two pipes can be joined without separate components (except optional seals). Landing nipples and liner hangers can be formed in situ. Valves can be deployed to a selected downhole location and there sealed to the casing or liner without separate packers. Casing can be deployed downhole in reduced-diameter lengths and then expanded to case a well without requiring larger diameter bores and causing further uphole. The invention enables simplified downhole working, and enables a well to be drilled & produced with the minimum downhole bore throughout its depth, obviating the need for large bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 6439023
    Abstract: A bend die assembly retrofits compressible flanges to permit the flanges to be reinstalled around tubes to form a sealing contact. The bend die assembly includes a base and a bend die. The base includes a first body portion that couples to a second body portion to define a cavity. The bend die includes a base portion, a body portion, and a head portion, and is received within the base cavity. The bend die head portion receives the compressible flange and includes a plurality of expandable segments contoured to substantially conform to a contour of the compressible seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James Terrell Nickell
  • Patent number: 6434997
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (2) for providing at least a bead (4) on a side wall portion (10) of a metal container (8). The apparatus includes a mandrel (16) over which side wall portions (10) of the container are disposed. The mandrel (16) has reaction members (20) with reaction surfaces for supporting the side wall portion internally and a plurality of forming members (18) surrounding the mandrel having forming surfaces being substantially parallel with the reaction surfaces but separated therefrom to define a gap between the surfaces which receives the side wall portion (10). The reaction members (20) and forming members (18) are capable of displacement towards and away from one another such that the gap between the reaction surfaces and forming surfaces can effectively expand and contract. The reaction surfaces and forming surfaces are provided with complementary formations thereon to deform the side wall portion therebetween and form a bead (4) therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Meltog Ltd.
    Inventor: Darren James Ellis
  • Patent number: 6418771
    Abstract: An inside perimeter hemming machine is disclosed having a base adapted to be supported by a ground surface. A nest adapted to support the part to be hemmed is vertically movably mounted relative to the base between predetermined vertical positions while at least one actuator vertically moves the nest relative to the base. A die assembly housing is mounted to the base, and this die assembly housing extends through the-opening on the part to be hemmed. At least two die sets are horizontally slidably mounted to the housing so that the die sets are movable between an extended and a retracted position. In their extended position, the die sets overlay the part to be hemmed so that, upon vertical displacement of the nest, a prehem or hem is performed. Conversely, when the die sets are in their retracted position, the nest together with the part to be hemmed is freely vertically movable. A wedge drive member is utilized to simultaneously move the die sets between their extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Valiant Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Raffin, Raymond Cote, Lee Harrison
  • Patent number: 6415641
    Abstract: An electric tool for applying a pressing force has a tool housing and a drive arranged in the tool housing. The drive has an electric motor and a drive element configured to be driven by the electric motor. The drive element is located externally to the tool housing. A pressing unit is connected to the drive element remote from the tool housing and has two pressing parts. The drive element acts on at least one of the two pressing parts for moving the at least one pressing part relative to the other one of the two pressing parts. The drive element is preferably a hydraulically actuated piston, and the electric motor operates a pump element that supplies hydraulic medium to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: REMS -WERK Christian Föll und Söhne GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Rudolf Wagner
  • Publication number: 20020043093
    Abstract: The movement of an expander by actuation of a manual hydraulic pump in a hydraulically powered flaring hand tool contacts die elements so as to move the die elements radially outward to flare hollow malleable cylindrical tubing. The tool has a manual hydraulic pump for producing movement of a shaft, an adjuster member coupled to the manual hydraulic pump, permitting the shaft to slide through the adjuster member, an expander coupled to the shaft end, and a die set having a plurality of die elements, the die set is coupled to the adjuster member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Barjesteh
  • Publication number: 20010045116
    Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a can having a can body including a dome section and an annular projection. The dome section is formed on a bottom of the can and is recessed inwardly of the can body. The annular projection is formed around a peripheral edge of the dome section so as to project outwardly in a direction of an axis of the can. A plurality of inner recesses are formed on an inner wall of the annular projection. The apparatus includes: an apparatus main body; a mandrel disposed on the apparatus main body for supporting the can body; a can bottom processing unit disposed on the apparatus main body so as to be relatively movable in the direction of the can axis with respect to the can bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hanafusa, Masahiro Hosoi, Aki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6318143
    Abstract: An improved wheel rim expanding tooling apparatus includes an inboard wheel rim expanding tooling assembly and an outboard wheel rim expanding tooling assembly which are selectively moveable between a retracted non-working position and an extended working position. The inboard wheel rim expanding tooling assembly includes an inboard expander press, an inboard barrel head, and a pair of inboard expander press guide supports. Each of the pair of inboard expander press guide supports includes a base plate, an inboard barrel head support bracket, and a pair of runners. The base plate includes a pair of spaced apart rails, and the inboard barrel head support brackets includes a main body having a pair of spaced apart mounting legs extending therefrom. The main body defines a generally U-shaped cradle having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough which receive a fastener to thereby secure the inboard barrel head thereto. The runners are secured to the mounting legs by appropriate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Mustread, John W. Penrod, Danny C. Vincent
  • Publication number: 20010020381
    Abstract: A mechanical pipe expander with a pyramidal polyhedron and with segments which are arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the polyhedron and can be moved radially by axially displacing the polyhedron relative to the segments. A wear lining is arranged between each of the surfaces of the polyhedron and each respective segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Manfred Kolbe, Arno Toputh, Karl Heinz Hausler
  • Patent number: 6260403
    Abstract: A pipe arching apparatus, comprising an internal means for flattening and elongating the lower circumference of a pipe, while said pipe is positioned upon the ground. The apparatus is retractably compactible to be towably transportable and will arch pipes of larger size and longer lengths than traditional pipe arching equipment. It is powered by an internal combustion engine, has hydraulically extendible radius forms for forcibly reshaping the inside of a pipe, and is steerably drivable into and out of a pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Scott E. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6223581
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a hemming device 1 with a hemming head 6, which has one or more hemming tools 8, 9, divided into segments 12 through 16 in the case of a plurality of hemming tools, wherein the hemming tool or hemming tools is/are provided with a hemming edge 11 rotating in the operating position. The hemming device 1 also has a stroke drive for generating the hemming stroke and an adjusting device 22 for withdrawing and extending the segments 12 through 16, which has an adjusting drive 23, which moves all segments 12 through 16 simultaneously. The segments have adapted contact surfaces 17, which have a contact angle &agr; of 20° to 50°. The adjusting drive 23 is preferably designed as a crank mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Kuka Schweissaniagen GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6161980
    Abstract: The locking structure of this invention comprises: a gate pillar (1)as a first cylindrical member; a cover (2) as a second member fitted into the first member; locking projections (6) provided to an inner surface of the first member or to an outer surface of the second member, each of the locking projections comprising an inclined surface (6a) progressively rising from the front end side of one of the mating members, from which the other mating member is inserted, toward the rear end side and a locking surface (6b) formed at the rear end of the inclined surface (6a); and locking steps (7) formed in the other member and adapted to engage the locking surfaces (6a) when the two mating members are fitted together. The machining apparatus (A) forms the locking projections (6) by pressing blade portions (9) of tools (8) against the inner surface of the gate pillar (1) with impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 6155094
    Abstract: A press tool for forming a compressible mass into an annulus of given inner and outer diameters and axial length, the tool having radially movable outer and inner tool parts adapted to expand and contract, respectively, to form the mass to the desired inner and outer diameters. An axially movable annular member includes a working face for forming the compressible mass to the desired axial length. Each of the tool parts include a first array of radially movable members, each formed with a head having a working face curved to the desired diameter and a second interposed array of radially movable members also having a head having a working face. A central portion of the working face is curved to the desired diameter and opposed sloping outer portions are shaped for sliding against rear-faces of the heads of respective adjacent members of the first array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignees: Statomat Special Machines Ltd., Franklin Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Michael Norman, Keith Alan Witwer
  • Patent number: 6016681
    Abstract: An apparatus for expanding a tube 1 from a first diameter d.sub.1 to a second diameter d.sub.2 by passing a mandrel through a tube 1 includes a bullet assembly 3 comprising at least two co-operating bullet segments 5, 7, 9, Each of the bullet segments 5, 7, 9 has an outer surface 11 for contacting the inner surface of the tube and an inner surface 13 for contacting the inner surface of an adjacent bullet segment. The outer surface 11 of each segment is generally arcuate in radial cross-section and each segment has a body region 15 between a head 17 and tail region 19. The inner surfaces 13 of adjacent bullet segments 5, 7, 9 have co-operating tapered surfaces 21 shaped such that the bullet segments are movable axially with respect to one another such that the bullet assembly 3 may be in an expanded state or a collapsed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Daniel William Kenning
  • Patent number: 5970776
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a cup-shaped cage, including a cup-shaped workpiece, an outer die having a center axis and a cavity about the center axis, an inner die coaxially disposed within the cavity of the outer die, and a mandrel adapted to move axially and radially the inner die relative to the outer die. The outer and inner dies have first and second control surfaces which are engaged with outer and inner surfaces of the workpiece, respectively, when the outer and inner dies are in the cooperative press position. The outer die includes a part allowed to be out of contact with the outer surface of the workpiece to permit the movement of the inner die relative to the outer die into the cooperative press position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsumasa Iijima, Masao Sakamoto, Tadanori Baba
  • Patent number: 5950472
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming beads in the cylindrical wall of a metal drum blank comprising a die head and an opposed roller, for engaging the interior and exterior surfaces, respectively, of a cylindrical drum blank. The die head has first, second and third coaxial, circular dies, each made up of plural, wedge-shaped die elements. The roller has two coaxial peripheral edges cooperable with the dies to form a W-style bead. The second die is located between the first and third dies and is radially expansible, by the frusto-conical surface of a cam, for producing a standard bead. The same frusto-conical surface also expands the first die, and a separate frusto-conical surface expands the third die. Lands on the cam engage the wedge-shaped elements of the first and third dies and maintain the first and third dies at fixed radial positions in engagement with the inner cylindrical wall of a drum blank, while the cam continues to urge the wedge-shaped elements of the second die radially outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Atlanta Grothes Machine Company
    Inventors: Carl C. Grotnes, Kenneth R. Babcock, Archie Tan
  • Patent number: 5943891
    Abstract: In a silencer shell forming apparatus, a mandrel is divided into an upper segment and a lower segment as well as both the segments are permitted to move in a vertical direction to dispense with a setup job when a different type of a shell is formed. Further, a drive mechanism is provided to cause both the segments to move in a direction where they become nearer to each other and in a direction where they are separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignees: Sango Co., Ltd., Sanko Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takagi, Yukinori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5836197
    Abstract: An improved machine tool assembly for use with sizing and shaping machines comprising a translating body, a stationary body, and an interconnecting structure is provided. The translating body can be provided in the form of a mandrel or jaw assembly while the stationary body, which cooperates with the translating body to deform a work piece, can be provided in the form of a ring or a housing assembly having a plurality of radially movable fingers. The interconnecting structure joins the translating body and the stationary body so that the same can be removed from the sizing machine as a single unit. The interconnecting structure also has an axial, angular, and/or radial alignment member(s) which maintain the relative alignment between the translating body and the stationary body during installation and/or removal of the machine tool assembly from a sizing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: McKee Machine Tool Corp.
    Inventors: Ralph E. McKee, James M. Burnett
  • Patent number: 5704244
    Abstract: A seamless drawn and ironed container body having a side wall with portions of the side wall expanded radially outward from an initial cylindrical configuration and a method and apparatus for reshaping such containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: American National Can Company
    Inventors: Andy Halasz, Rolf Wirz, Rene Meneghin, Louis Trepied
  • Patent number: 5694802
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a snap ring groove in a clutch drum by pressing a lower die, an upper die, a workpiece supporting member, first sliding members and second sliding members, a workpiece receiving member fixed on a radially inner end of each first sliding member, and a punch fixed on an upper end of each upwardly bent portion in a radially inner end portion of each second sliding member. The first sliding members and the second sliding members are pushed radially inwards and outwards, respectively, via a cam mechanism by lowering the upper die. The cam mechanism is made of a first cam mechanism for driving the first sliding members and a second cam mechanism for driving the second sliding members. The first cam mechanism is arranged to push the first sliding members radially inwards, when lowering the upper die, with a radially outer end portion thereof operating as a point of action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruo Tanaka, Tadaaki Inaba
  • Patent number: 5595086
    Abstract: Apparatus for calibrating a nonsymmetrical hollow article includes a plurality of internal die elements which are inserted into the hollow article and are expanded by a tapered plunger so as to outwardly reform the hollow article into the desired size and shape. An external die restrains the outer surface of the portion of the hollow article during reforming. The apparatus is also usable on hollow articles which do not have a linear longitudinal axis. The surface to surface engagement between internal die members creates an interface which is preferably generally aligned with straight portions of the inner surface of the hollow article except for internal corners of the article. Corresponding methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Thomas W. Scherf
  • Patent number: 5581862
    Abstract: The present invention relates to filler tubes and, more particularly, to fuel filler tubes and methods of attaching them to automobile fuel tanks. The fuel filler tube of the present invention includes an inlet tube, a retainer member, sealing means and a fuel tank having a downwardly extending diameter portion. The retainer is disposed over the downwardly extending diameter portion and adhered to the tank. The inlet tube is then inserted into the fuel tank aperture until the inlet tubes annular flange engages the fuel tank's annular lip. A crimping tool is then inserted through the axial bore of the inlet tube and a plurality of bearings contained on the crimping tool are forced radially outwardly to thereby crimp the inlet tube and downwardly extending diameter portion together. The retainer member includes a plurality of recessed areas for hosting the expanded inlet tube and tank portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin R. Choma, Jack L. Boldt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5562000
    Abstract: A tool for reshaping or expanding metal tubular material includes an expandable mandrel having a plurality of duplicate spreader segments held in a cluster by an elastic O-ring about a wedge-shaped cam, each of the segments including an external, curved wall having a curvature corresponding to a curvature of an external curved wall in every other segment such that when all segments are equally spaced a predetermined amount, they form a cylinder having gaps between adjacent spreader segments for contact against an internal surface of the tubular material for reshaping or expanding said tubular material. The wedge-shaped cam includes a plurality of external faces corresponding to a number of internal spreader segment faces sloped to converge toward a front, mandrel-insertion or forward end of the cam and shaped complementary to the shape of the internal spreader segment faces for sliding engagement of the segments over an adjacent external face of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: William E. Shultz, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5452599
    Abstract: Expanding apparatus and method for sizing a one-piece drop-center wheel rim having first and second ganged arrays of rim sizing die segments insertable into the rim from one side thereof, and a third array of rim sizing die segments insertable into the opposite side of the rim, all three arrays cooperating to form a complete array of die segments for expansion sizing of the rim. A single wedge mechanism moves the arrays radially outwardly to individually size the inboard bead seat, outboard bead seat and drop-center well zones of the rim in response to relative coaxial movement of the wedge and arrays in a rim expansion working stroke along a longitudinal axis of the wedge. The wedge includes an expansion cone mechanism comprising first, second and third cone cams respectively individually operably associated with the first, second and third die arrays for radially expanding the same in such working stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Motor Wheel Corporation
    Inventors: Anwar R. Daudi, William R. Fowler
  • Patent number: 5433100
    Abstract: A nosepiece apparatus for use in conjunction with a pull gun for prestressing fastener holes, or the like, in a workpiece, the nosepiece including an adapter (12) having a central passageway (19) therethrough and a rear end (20) adapted to be mounted to a pull gun. The forward end of the adapter (12) has a threaded connection for coupling the adapter (12) to an extension piece (14). The extension piece (14) is an elongated, tubular extension having threaded connections at both ends. A sleeve retainer (16) is provided having a threaded connection at its rearward end for securing the sleeve retainer (16) to the extension. The forward end of the sleeve retainer (16) is formed by a multiple of annularly-spaced, alternate splits (56) and fingers (58) extending substantially axially from the rearward end of the sleeve retainer (16). The threaded connection of the sleeve retainer (16) is adapted not only to be threadably coupled to the extension piece (14), but also to be directly coupled to the adapter ( 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric T. Easterbrook, Todd L. Thompson, Mark R. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5396789
    Abstract: A procedure for manufacturing corrugated tubes includes providing an outer mold arranged to envelop a region of a tube to be deformed. The outer mold includes a plurality of flat annular elements capable of being displaced in a radial direction. A counter-mold is situated in the interior of the tube. The counter-mold includes identical and independent parts, radially displaceable simultaneously between an end position in which the independent parts are applied against the walls of the tube to cooperate with the pressing action of the annular elements of the outer mold to an opposite end position in which the independent parts are remote from the walls, allowing the corrugated tube to be removed from between the outer mold and the counter-mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventor: Melchor D. Castellon
  • Patent number: 5375450
    Abstract: There are described a coupling having the bullet-shaped projections on a cylindrical holding portion for preventing a hose from coming off from the holding portion and a method of manufacturing the same. The coupling is capable of preventing the hose from being broken by the projections thereof by rounding the end edges of the projections, which leads to stability of the coupling for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Takuo Mori
  • Patent number: 5355709
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reforming drawn and ironed containers are disclosed. The invention permits improvements in bottom profiles by radially expanding arcuate segments against the inner leg that connects the bottom rim of the container to the center panel. The reforming introduced by the present invention permits containers to be constructed of a lighter gauge material without suffering from any loss in strength. The container being reformed is seated on a flat surface and a radially expanding die is used in conjunction with a tapered mandrel to reform the bottom profile. Most preferably, the reforming tool of the present invention is incorporated into a container necking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company
    Inventors: Joseph Bauder, George Ruff
  • Patent number: 5243845
    Abstract: A flaring tool (1) for hollow workpieces having a basic tool body (2) with an expanding mandrel (13), which can be displaced by means of a drive. A supporting device (5) concentrically surrounding the expanding mandrel with an exchangeable expansion head (6) which has radially movable expanding jaws (14) located in a screw cap (16). The supporting device (5) is placed in the basic tool body (2) and can be moved longitudinally by means of a threaded extension (8) in the direction of the (A--A) axis of the expanding mandrel (13), and has an annular flange (11) which serves as a stop (10) for the expansion head. The supporting device (5) is fixed opposite the basic tool body (2) by means of a stopping device. In order to achieve a simple, reliable and reproducible set-up the supporting device (5) has in its annular flange (11), in a circle placed concentrically to the (A--A) axis, index boreholes for an index pin (29), located in the basic tool body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Rothenberger Werkzeuge-Maschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Velte
  • Patent number: 5222385
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reforming the bottom of a drawn and ironed or a drawn beverage container, and a container made by that method. The container for which this method and apparatus are suitable has a vertical axis; a generally cylindrical side wall parallel with the vertical axis; an outer annular wall; a convex U-shaped portion; a preformed bottom wall including a center domed portion; and an annular, substantially vertical wall joining the domed portion and the convex U-shaped portion. The method comprises supporting the container in a jig, the jig having a bottom peripheral profile portion substantially corresponding in shape to the outer annular wall of the container. The bottom peripheral profile portion of the jig is then mated with the outer annular wall. A reforming roller is brought into engagement with the substantially vertical wall. The reforming roller rotates along the vertical wall and about an arcuate path, affecting the angle of the substantially vertical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: American National Can Company
    Inventors: Andrew Halasz, Sylvan Praturlon, Paul Azzaline, Christopher Caliendo
  • Patent number: 5101653
    Abstract: A mechanical pipe expander having a pyramidal, polyhedronal cross-section, segments resting against the pyramidal surfaces which are displaceable in axial direction relative to the polyhedron, and grooves formed in the longitudinal centers of the edges of the polyhedron so that the side surfaces of the grooves represent guides for the correspondingly shaped segments. The segments are formed as dove tails on the leading end thereof over a length of about 5-30% of their total length and each of the side surfaces of the dove tail recesses slide on a side surface of two adjacent grooves formed in the polyhedron. The length of the grooves is limited to the path of displacement of the polyhedron with respect to the segments, and the ends of the segments facing away from the leading end are held by radially acting springs against the surfaces of the polyhedron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rolf Hermes, Herbert Jansen, Hans G. Schiffers, Arno Toputh
  • Patent number: 5090230
    Abstract: A pipe expanding tool comprising a cylindraceous member having a pipe of oppositely disposed openings and an outer collar; a conical-shaped stepped expander having segmental members including a top stepped portion receivable with the collar, an elastic member receivable in the top stepped portion for urging the segmental members together to close longitudinal slits therebetween; an axially movable spreader receivable within the expander for overcoming compression on the top stepped portion exerted by the elastic member to spread the segmental members away from each other; a plunger for movement of the segmental members transversely of a longitudinal axis of the plunger and spreader; and an arm bearing against the plunger to move the spreader into the expander for increasing the outer diameter thereof and for movement in an opposite direction out of the expander so that the elastic material urges the segmental members together to close longitudinal slits for decreasing the outer diameter of the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Kauno Koskinen Ky
    Inventor: Kauno L. J. Koskinen
  • Patent number: 5083363
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of installing a grommet within an opening in a wall of composite material. An opening (10) is formed in a wall of composite material (12). A countersink (20) is formed at one end of the opening (10). A grommet (22) is placed into the opening (10). A split sleeve (28) is placed on the small diameter portion (30) of a mandrel (32) which is attached to a power puller (36). The mandrel (32) with the split sleeve (28) is placed through the opening (10) and a grommet (22). The power puller (36) is then operated to pull the mandrel (32) back through the opening (10) and the grommet (22) thereby expanding the split sleeve (28) which in turn provides for the radial expansion of the grommet (22). During the radial expansion of the grommet (22), ends of fibers (16) are forced into the surface of the grommet (24 ). After the mandrel (32) has been pulled all the way through the split sleeve (28) both it and the split sleeve (28) are removed from the grommet (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joy Sarah Ransom, Eric T. Easterbrook, Roger T. Bolstad, Michael A. Landy, Charles M. Copple, Leonard F. Reid
  • Patent number: 5046349
    Abstract: An expansion tool (1) for pipes with a basic tool body (2) includes two hand levers (3, 12), one of which (12) operates an expanding mandrel (5) with a free rotating cylinder (19) through a control mechanism (10). By activating the lever, the expanding mandrel emerges from the basic body (2) sliding at a preset stroke against a set (15) of radially moving expanding wedges (16). In order to allow the enforced withdrawal of the expanding mandrel (5) with reduced operating forces and a specific force distribution, the cylinder (19) is journaled on a cylinder pin (19a). The expanding mandrel is connected to the movable hand lever (12) through a retraction device (20). In one form of construction with a cam shaped control mechanism (10), the retraction device (29) consists of a tension member with working points on the cylinder (19) and on the hand lever (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Rothenberger Werkzeuge-Maschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Velte
  • Patent number: 5033301
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is for forming an end of a piece of gas conduit and attaching it to a second piece of conduit. The apparatus is provided for smoothing the end of a corrugated conduit and expanding it to a predetermined diameter. An associated connector is then applied to the smoothed end of the corrugated conduit and the conduit and the connector are then connected to the second piece of conduit. An associated method provides steps for achieving such a connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: O.M.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony S. Kistner, Wayne M. Staats, Norman O. Staats
  • Patent number: 5022254
    Abstract: A device for expanding a tubular can body has a circular array of expansion blades which are inserted into the body and expanded by means of a central tapering shaft which is driven axially through a corresponding bore of the blade by a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly. The ends of the blades are supported for radially expanding movement by a cylindrical housing which has an annular end wall received in peripheral channels formed in the individual blades. The channels have sufficient depth to accommodate the required radial expansion and retraction movements of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Antonio H. Kramer
  • Patent number: 5010759
    Abstract: A wheel shaping apparatus including a single cotter for expanding first and second dies circumferentially split into a plurality of first and second die elements, respectively. The single cotter is supported by a cotter supporting member at one end portion of the cotter and is also supported by a cotter guide at the other end portion of the cotter during shaping of a rim element. Because of the single cotter supported at both end portions thereof, rim bead seat portions located at axially end portions of the rim element are shaped in an accurate alignment with each other and almost exactly parallel to each other. In the case when ring-like members are provided around the first and second dies or when teeth are formed at sides of each first and second die element, formation of local deformations at gaps between two adjacent first die elements and between two adjacent second die elements is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shojiro Yokomizo, Kouji Izumida, Takeshi Saito, Yutaka Yanamoto
  • Patent number: 4997320
    Abstract: A tool comprising a turning bar, a pipe supporter, a handle to turn the pipe supporter and a turning disc to rotate the turning bar. The turning bar fits and rotates in the central hole in the pipe supporter and forces two steel balls to move outward in two opposite sidewise holes in the pipe supporter with the lower tapered portion thereof. Then then handle is moved to rotate the pipe supporter in relation to a pipe fitted around the pipe supporter, allowing the steel balls to compress outward the inner surface of the pipe to form a circumferential projection thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: Biing-Yih Hwang
  • Patent number: 4995254
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for ensuring the dimensional accuracy of a frusto-pyramidal can body (10). During the production of the body (10) this is partially heated by means of inductors in the vicinity of its base face in the region of its broader side faces (10a,10b), before the step in which it is formed into the pyramidal frustum. In this manner, a uniform reduction in the thickness of the sheet metal is achieved in the region of the base face of the pyramidal frustum during the widening operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Elpatronic AG
    Inventors: Kurt Alznauer, Michael Baumgartner, Werner Boegli, Jurgen Brauer
  • Patent number: 4987763
    Abstract: A tool for deforming metal in kit form. The apparatus and associated method provided is for forming an end of a piece of corrugated conduit and attaching it to a second piece of conduit. The apparatus is provided for smoothing the end of the corrugated conduit and expanding it to a predetermined diameter. An associated connector is then applied to the smoothed end of the corrugated conduit and the conduit and the connector are then connected to the second piece of conduit. An associated method provides steps for achieving such a connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: O. M. S., Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony S. Kistner, Wayne M. Staats, Norman O. Staats
  • Patent number: 4936130
    Abstract: On a turret (30) which can be driven in rotation about a central axis (A), a plurality of expanding mandrels (42) are arranged all around the central axis (A). They are each essentially composed of a supporting member (44) which is secured to the turret (30) and defines an expanding-mandrel axis (B), a plurality of segmental bars (52) which are arranged all round the expanding-mandrel axis (B) and are guided on the supporting member (44) for radial adjustment, and a wedge (70) which is displaceable along the expanding-mandrel axis (B) to spread the segmental bars (52) apart. The wedges (70) are displaceable in succession, by a common actuating member, during one revolution of the turret (30). The actuating member is a central cam member (18) on which each of the wedges (70) is supported at least during a portion of each revolution of the turret (30) corresponding to the distance between two adjacent expanding mandrels (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Elpatronic AG
    Inventor: Felix Kramer