Patents Assigned to Vari-Form
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Patent number: 9302307Abstract: A method of forming a hollow body having a hollow flange may include performing a hydroforming process to a tubular blank. The tubular blank may be deformed and shaped to form the hollow body and the hollow flange. Subsequent processes may be performed to the hollow flange such as a flattening process whereby confronting internal surfaces of the hollow flange are brought together to abut each other and form a flat flange.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2010Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: VARI-FORM, INC.Inventors: Tom L. Bestard, Martin L. Bliss, Ghafoor Khodayari
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Patent number: 8814523Abstract: In at least one implementation, a method of making a turbine blade may include providing a preform having a hollow cross-section, hydroforming the preform to form a turbine blade body comprising a shell that includes a continuous hollow portion along its interior, and providing a mounting portion attached to the body to mount the turbine blade to a hub. In one or more implementations of the method, the mounting portion may be provided during the step of hydroforming the preform and the mounting portion may be formed from the same preform as the turbine blade body.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Vari-Form, Inc.Inventors: Martin L. Bliss, Trevor M. Clark, Jose U. Coelho, Timothy R. Flint, Blair J. Longhouse
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Patent number: 8662567Abstract: A vehicle roof support pillar assembly may include a first support pillar and a second support pillar. The first support pillar may have a first hollow body with a first side surface. The second support pillar may have a second hollow body with a second side surface, the second support pillar may be positioned next to the first hollow body when assembled and in use. The first and second side surfaces may contact each other along at least a portion of their vertical extent.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Vari-Form, Inc.Inventors: Gurpreet S. Aul, Martin L. Bliss, Michael E. Bolas, Jose U. Coelho, Dean A. Gericke, Larry D. Marks
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Publication number: 20110211964Abstract: In at least one implementation, a method of making a turbine blade may include providing a preform having a hollow cross-section, hydroforming the preform to form a turbine blade body comprising a shell that includes a continuous hollow portion along its interior, and providing a mounting portion attached to the body to mount the turbine blade to a hub. In one or more implementations of the method, the mounting portion may be provided during the step of hydroforming the preform and the mounting portion may be formed from the same preform as the turbine blade body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: VARI-FORM, INC.Inventors: Martin L. Bliss, Trevor M. Clark, Jose U. Coelho, Timothy R. Flint, Blair J. Longhouse
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Patent number: 7857377Abstract: A pillar to rocker joint assembly comprising a tubular pillar having a pinched flange near a lower end of the pillar is joined to a rocker assembly including a side sill and rocker reinforcement. A method of making a pillar to rocker joint assembly that comprises a vehicle structural support is formed by welding a structural support pillar to an outer body panel through an access opening in the pillar and welding a rocker reinforcement to a side sill. The rocker reinforcement is welded to the pillar through an access opening in the side sill, an access hole in the body outer panel, and an access opening in the pillar that is vertically spaced relative to the first access opening. A bottom flange of the B-pillar is welded to a lower edge flange of the rocker reinforcement and a lower edge flange of the side sill.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Vari-Form, Inc.Inventors: Xiaoming Chen, Omar Faruque, Thierry Guimberteau, Everett Kuo, Raj Mehta, Louis Ratsos, Parameswararao Pothuraju, Dean Gericke, Daniel Szalay
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Publication number: 20100206035Abstract: A method of forming a hollow body having a hollow flange may include performing a hydroforming process to a tubular blank. The tubular blank may be deformed and shaped to form the hollow body and the hollow flange. Subsequent processes may be performed to the hollow flange such as a flattening process whereby confronting internal surfaces of the hollow flange are brought together to abut each other and form a flat flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: VARI-FORM, INC.Inventors: Tom L. Bestard, Martin L. Bliss, Ghafoor Khodayari
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Publication number: 20100194147Abstract: A vehicle roof support pillar assembly may include a first support pillar and a second support pillar. The first support pillar may have a first hollow body with a first side surface. The second support pillar may have a second hollow body with a second side surface, the second support pillar may be positioned next to the first hollow body when assembled and in use. The first and second side surfaces may contact each other along at least a portion of their vertical extent.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: VARI-FORM, INC.Inventors: Gurpreet S. Aul, Martin L. Bliss, Michael E. Bolas, Jose U. Coelho, Dean A. Gericke, Larry D. Marks
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Patent number: 7543883Abstract: A support rail for a vehicle has an A-pillar portion and a roof rail portion. The roof rail and A-pillar are formed with a tubular body portion and longitudinally extending support flanges. The support flanges are formed by pinching the blank during the hydroforming process to provide a double thickness flange. A windshield support flange, roof support flange and door opening flange are formed to extend outwardly from the tubular body portion. Front and rear tube connectors include blind openings or notches to facilitate welding.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2006Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Vari-Form, Inc.Inventors: Xiaoming Chen, Omar Faruque, Thierry Guimberteau, Louis Ratsos, Dean Gericke, Daniel Szalay
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Punch, apparatus and method for forming opposing holes in a hollow part, and a part formed therefrom
Patent number: 7484397Abstract: A punch, apparatus and method for forming opposing holes in a hollow part, and a part formed therefrom. The punch includes an end portion adapted to pierce an entry hole and bend material around the entry hole to form a retained slug along an inner edge of the entry hole. The punch also includes an enlarging portion adapted to enter the entry hole after the end portion to enlarge the entry hole by bending the slug and additional material towards the interior of the part. The punch has a length greater than a cross-section of the part such that further advancement of the punch through the part punches an exit hole in the part opposite the entry hole.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Vari-Form, Inc.Inventors: Jose U. Coelho, David J. Dunn, Martin L. Bliss -
Punch, apparatus and method for forming opposing holes in a hollow part, and a part formed therefrom
Patent number: 7462402Abstract: A punch, apparatus and method for forming opposing holes in a hollow part, and a part formed therefrom. The punch includes an end portion adapted to pierce an entry hole and bend material around the entry hole to form a retained slug along an inner edge of the entry hole. The punch also includes an enlarging portion adapted to enter the entry hole after the end portion to enlarge the entry hole by bending the slug and additional material towards the interior? of the part. The punch has a length greater than a cross-section of the part such that further advancement of the punch through the part punches an exit hole in the part opposite the entry hole.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Vari-Form Inc.Inventors: Jose U. Coelho, David J. Dunn, Martin L. Bliss -
Patent number: 7449137Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of attaching plastic to a metal substrate and a part made by the method. A hydroformed metal section having top and bottom openings is provided. A plastic component is molded about the metal component and through the bottom opening. The plastic component includes a flange on one side thereof to secure the plastic component with the metal component.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignees: General Electric Company, Carlisle Engineered Products, Inc., Vari-FormInventors: James E. Staargaard, Jerry Klanges, Blair Longhouse, Eric Kowal, Larry D. Butterfield, Thomas M. Goral, Mitch Brown, Keith R. Panter, Terry E. Nardone, Dennis Gaida
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Publication number: 20080093892Abstract: A pillar to rocker joint assembly comprising a tubular pillar having a pinched flange near a lower end of the pillar is joined to a rocker assembly including a side sill and rocker reinforcement. A method of making a pillar to rocker joint assembly that comprises a vehicle structural support is formed by welding a structural support pillar to an outer body panel through an access opening in the pillar and welding a rocker reinforcement to a side sill. The rocker reinforcement is welded to the pillar through an access opening in the side sill, an access hole in the body outer panel, and an access opening in the pillar that is vertically spaced relative to the first access opening. A bottom flange of the B-pillar is welded to a lower edge flange of the rocker reinforcement and a lower edge flange of the side sill.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicants: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, VARI-FORM INC.Inventors: Xiaoming Chen, Omar Faruque, Thierry Guimberteau, Everett Kuo, Raj Mehta, Louis Ratsos, Parameswararao Pothuraju, Dean Gericke, Daniel Szalay
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Publication number: 20080088157Abstract: A support rail for a vehicle is disclosed that has an A-pillar portion and a roof rail portion. The roof rail and A-pillar are formed with a tubular body portion and longitudinally extending support flanges. The support flanges are formed by pinching the blank during the hydroforming process to provide a double thickness flange. A windshield support flange, roof support flange and door opening flange are formed to extend outwardly from the tubular body portion. Front and rear tube connectors may be provided that include blind openings or notches to facilitate welding.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2006Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicants: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, VARI-FORM INC.Inventors: Xiaoming Chen, Omar Faruque, Thierry Guimberteau, Louis Ratsos, Dean Gericke, Daniel Szalay
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Patent number: 7357448Abstract: A one-piece B-pillar having a front flange and a rear flange formed on an upper portion of the B-pillar. The front and rear flanges extend forwardly and rearwardly from a trapezoidal section of the B-pillar. An inner concave portion is provided in a lower portion of the B-pillar. The one-piece B-pillar is secured to the outer and upper surfaces of a roof rail and to the outer surface of a rocker to provide side impact strength. The B-pillar is hydroformed in one-piece to provide superior strength for roof crush performance. The tubular portion of the B-pillar is partially collapsed to form a trapezoidal section in the upper portion of the B-pillar.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Vari-Form, Inc.Inventors: Xiaoming Chen, Omar Faruque, Thierry Guimberteau, Everett Kuo, Raj Mehta, David Wagner, Dean Gericke, Daniel Szalay
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Patent number: 7287788Abstract: A single component bumper beam and lower frame midrail structure, is formed through a hydroforming process to create a uniform “B-shaped” cross-sectional configuration with internal crash triggers to enhance crash performance. The mounting legs of the integral bumper structure are formed with a reduced cross-section at the terminal ends thereof to facilitate insertion into lower frame midrails formed from a pair of horizontally disposed tubes. The terminal end portions of the mounting legs are formed with a longitudinally extending slot to receive a central co-joined wall member formed through the welding of the two vertically oriented tubular members in the lower frame midrails. The single component bumper and longitudinally extending mounting leg structure can be formed by welding together two vertically oriented tubes.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Vari-Form, Inc.Inventors: Ari Caliskan, Dean Gericke
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Punch, apparatus and method for forming opposing holes in a hollow part, and a part formed therefrom
Publication number: 20070193323Abstract: A punch, apparatus and method for forming opposing holes in a hollow part, and a part formed therefrom. The punch includes an end portion adapted to pierce an entry hole and bend material around the entry hole to form a retained slug along an inner edge of the entry hole. The punch also includes an enlarging portion adapted to enter the entry hole after the end portion to enlarge the entry hole by bending the slug and additional material towards the interior? of the part. The punch has a length greater than a cross-section of the part such that further advancement of the punch through the part punches an exit hole in the part opposite the entry hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2007Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: Vari-Form Inc.Inventors: Jose Coelho, David Dunn, Martin Bliss -
Punch, apparatus and method for forming opposing holes in a hollow part, and a part formed therefrom
Publication number: 20070157695Abstract: A punch, apparatus and method for forming opposing holes in a hollow part, and a part formed therefrom. The punch includes an end portion adapted to pierce an entry hole and bend material around the entry hole to form a retained slug along an inner edge of the entry hole. The punch also includes an enlarging portion adapted to enter the entry hole after the end portion to enlarge the entry hole by bending the slug and additional material towards the interior of the part. The punch has a length greater than a cross-section of the part such that further advancement of the punch through the part punches an exit hole in the part opposite the entry hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2006Publication date: July 12, 2007Applicant: Vari-Form Inc.Inventors: Jose Coelho, David Dunn, Martin Bliss -
Publication number: 20060273630Abstract: A one-piece B-pillar having a front flange and a rear flange formed on an upper portion of the B-pillar. The front and rear flanges extend forwardly and rearwardly from a trapezoidal section of the B-pillar. An inner concave portion is provided in a lower portion of the B-pillar. The one-piece B-pillar is secured to the outer and upper surfaces of a roof rail and to the outer surface of a rocker to provide side impact strength. The B-pillar is hydroformed in one-piece to provide superior strength for roof crush performance. The tubular portion of the B-pillar is partially collapsed to form a trapezoidal section in the upper portion of the B-pillar.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2006Publication date: December 7, 2006Applicants: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, VARI-FORM, INCInventors: Xiaoming Chen, Omar Faruque, Thierry Guimberteau, Everett Kuo, Raj Mehta, David Wagner, Dean Gericke, Daniel Szalay
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Publication number: 20060121246Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of attaching plastic to a metal substrate and a part made by the method. A hydroformed metal section having top and bottom openings is provided. A plastic component is molded about the metal component and through the bottom opening. The plastic component includes a flange on one side thereof to secure the plastic component with the metal component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2006Publication date: June 8, 2006Applicants: General Electric Company, Carlisle Engineered Products, Inc., Vari-FormInventors: James Staargaard, Jerry Klanges, Blair Longhouse, Eric Kowal, Larry Butterfield, Thomas Goral, Mitch Brown, Keith Panter, Terry Nardone, Dennis Gaida
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Patent number: 6955393Abstract: A front end module including a plastic component connected to a metallic substrate. The metallic substrate can be formed by hydroforming and shaped into a substantially unitary member. The plastic component is then molded about the metallic substrate and simultaneously forms connections thereto at discrete locations along the length of the metallic substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignees: General Electric Company, Carlisle Engineered Products, Inc., Vari-FormInventors: James E. Staargaard, Eric Kowal, Thomas M. Goral, Mitch Brown, Keith R. Panter, Larry D. Butterfield, Blair Longhouse, Jerry Klanges, Terry E. Nardone, Dennis Gaida