Patents Examined by Daniel C. Crane
  • Patent number: 7134310
    Abstract: A tube bender includes a worktable, a rail on the worktable, a tube-pushing device and a tube-bending device. The tube-pushing device is positioned on the worktable, having a moving base and a clamper at one side of the moving device. The clamper clamps a tube being bent, and a push driver moves the moving base together with the tube work to a preset location. The tube-bending device consists of a base unit, a guide unit and a driving unit, and when the tube work is moved to the tube-bending device, it is bent by the tube-bending device, with a guide roller and a main roller sandwiching the tube for preventing the bent section of the finished tube from disfiguring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ying Lin Machine Industrial Col., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping-Kun Hu
  • Patent number: 7131314
    Abstract: To provide a diamond compact die semi-manufactured product and a diamond compact die that do not crack during die processing. A diamond compact die semi-manufactured product includes a diamond compact and a holding ring. The holding ring is a cylinder composed of a tungsten alloy, and the inner diameter thereof is tapered. The diamond compact is tapered so as to fit to the taper of the cylinder and the diamond compact is press-fitted to the holding ring. For lower cost production, the tapered face of the diamond compact is formed by electric spark machining. The tungsten alloy contains 90% to 97% by weight of tungsten and 3% to 10% by weight of nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Corp.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshida, Takeru Nakashima, Tadashi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7131310
    Abstract: A method for cold working metal structures. A compound indenter is used to produce deformation in a workpiece, to provide a selected beneficial residual stress profile, to provide improved fatigue life structures with minimal manufacturing steps. A compound indenter deforms a workpiece, resulting in dimples therein. A relatively uniform beneficial residual stress profile is provided at the surface and at the midplane of apertures in a workpiece, so as to improve overall fatigue life. A compound indenter tool having a first, elongate indenter with a shaped indenter surface portion, and a second shaped indenter surrounding the first indenter and forming an annular shoulder recessed from the surface portion of the first indenter, is used. Optionally, a foot having a bottom portion is used to confiningly surround an indenter during application of deforming force to the surface of a workpiece, to prevent deformation of adjacent workpiece surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Stresswave, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric T. Easterbrook, Nils Juhlin
  • Patent number: 7131309
    Abstract: A bending system comprising a series of bending stations, each equipped with a bending head. Workpieces are conveyed from one bending station to the next by grippers suspended from a two-axis gantry, that preferably grasp the workpiece at an intermediate portion. Each bending head grasps the tube at a different intermediate position, and in the preferred embodiment each bending station is capable of rotating to position the bending dye such that the free end of the workpiece being bent can be oriented in the bending plane without interference by an adjacent bending station. These features reduce the space requirements of the system considerably. A multi-level dispensing apparatus may be provided to load the bending heads. The bending system is preferably operated by computer, allowing the bending of long workpieces to precise configurations under the control of a single operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Martinrea International Inc.
    Inventors: David Burton, Nat Rea
  • Patent number: 7127931
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tandem press shuttle area isolation gate system and its method of use. The system and method of the present invention allows workers to safely enter the shuttle areas between tandem presses concurrently with a die change, thereby facilitating a quicker changeover of a tandem press line and a reduction in downtime. The system and method of the present invention employs safety gates to isolate the work envelope of each press from the shuttle areas during a die change. In this manner, workers can safely operate in the shuttle areas without the risk of contacting moving dies or bolsters that are being transferred to or from the presses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian K Borders
  • Patent number: 7127929
    Abstract: A metallic plate member is provided. A first punch is operable to perform a first forging work to mold a first member in the plate member. The first member has a first function. A second punch is operable to perform a second forging work to mold a second member in the plate member. The second member including at least one kind of positioning member. The first forging work and the second forging work are performed at a single stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Fujio Akahane, Nagamitsu Takashima, Kazushige Hakeda, Ryoji Uesugi, Akiharu Kurebayashi
  • Patent number: 7127923
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a plurality of parts, such as spade-type boring bits, from a continuous stock material. Thus, the various steps of the forming method of the present invention can be performed to predetermined portions of the continuous stock material prior to separating the continuous stock material into discrete parts, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the forming process. The present invention also provides an improved forge for forming portions of the continuous stock material into parts having a predetermined shape. The forge can be designed to provide a clearance region proximate the forward end of the ram to permit slight flexing of the forward end of the ram in a radially outward direction during forging operations. The forge can also include a lubrication system for lubricating its various components. In addition, the forge can incrementally rotate the ram after one or more parts have been forged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Biederman, Lawrence George Buganto, Stephen R. Crosby, Charles P. Gure, Timothy T. McKenzie, Paul Andrew Stone, Rickey James Thomas, Charles T. Wetherington
  • Patent number: 7124616
    Abstract: A work transfer apparatus for a transfer press or a press, with which an optimal die can be designed for each process, is provided. For this purpose, the work transfer apparatus for a transfer press includes at least a pair of lift beams (13), carriers (15) movable along a longitudinal direction of the lift beam, paired sub-carriers (50) movable in a carrier moving direction, power transmission means (51, 54) for transmitting carrier driving force to the sub-carriers, and a cross bar (17) which is laterally spanned between the sub-carriers and provided with work holding means (18) capable of holding a work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiichirou Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 7124612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crimping blade with a profile such that the angle of attack ? of the sheet metal to be crimped remains constant during the entire crimping phase. In this way, the force applied to the sheet metal is always at the same angle in relation to the sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Process Conception Ingenierie
    Inventor: Gabriel Le Guevel
  • Patent number: 7124608
    Abstract: A pressing tool (13) includes a fluid pump (4), a cylinder element (5) arranged connecting with this and a piston which can be slid forward in the cylinder element (5) by pressure fluid of the fluid pump (4) and reset by a return spring (20a). A piston rod (6) is passed out to the cylinder element (5) as an activation part. The pressing tool (13) is moreover outfitted with a position measuring device (12, 12a; 112, 212, 212a) which measures without contact which makes the piston position continuously detectable over a positioning range free of disturbance and with a presence sensor (52). The presence sensor (52) verifies the presence of a jointing clamp (51) and issues an indicator signal in the event that a jointing clamp (51) is missing or improperly fastened and shuts the pressing tool (13) off following a delay period to the extent that no orderly inserted jointing clamp (51) is yet available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Hans-Jörg Goop
  • Patent number: 7117705
    Abstract: A cutting assembly (20) is removably supported on a sheet bending brake (24) for cutting a work piece (22). The cutting assembly (20) includes a cutter body (32), and a first (42) and a second cutting disk (48), each having an outer periphery defining a primary (44) and a complimentary cutting edge (50) respectively. The first (42) and second cutting disks (48) are rotatably supported by the cutter body (32) and rotate about a first axis (46) and a second axis (52) respectively. An adjustment mechanism (60) interconnects the second cutting disk (48) and the cutter body (32) for axially adjusting the complimentary cutting edge (50) with respect to the primary cutting edge (44) without having to remove the second cutting disk (48) from the cutter body (32). The cutting assembly (20) includes a locking device (82) for preventing movement of the adjustment mechanism (60) relative to the cutter body (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventor: Michael C. Clark
  • Patent number: 7114360
    Abstract: A plate bending machine for bending a plate clamped between a lower die and a pressure die by a blade of a bending die mounted on a bend beam which is controlled in the vertical and horizontal directions. The bend beam has a vertical cross-section of substantially C-shaped configuration, and includes a first bending die attached to an upper portion of the substantially C-shaped configuration and a second bending die attached to a lower portion of the same. Blades are formed on at least one of the first and second bending dies to extend in the upward and downward directions, respectively. The horizontal bend arm may be connected to one end of a vertical bend arm which is disposed substantially vertically, by a shaft B (eccentric shaft).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Kyowa Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7111487
    Abstract: A curvature forming device has an upper member and a lower member. A clamping member is mounted on a spring within a recess in the upper member. An elongate deforming member is fixedly mounted in the same recess. The deforming member protrudes out of the recess more at one end than at the other. The upper member is pressed down against a flat anvil or die of a lower member, with a metal strip between them. The clamping member clamps the strip, whilst the deforming member deforms a small length of it. The upper member is raised and the strip moved forward a little bit. The upper member is then brought down again to clamp and deform the adjacent small length. Each deformed portion is generally fan shaped. These build up to produce a curve in the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Ming Shyan Yong, Chee Mun Choy, Meng Kwong Ho
  • Patent number: 7111481
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling flare in roll-forming processes are disclosed. An example method of controlling flare involes moving a material through a roll-forming process and measuring the material to obtain a flare characteristic associated with a zone of the material. A position of a roller is then automatically varied to change the flare characteristic associated with a zone of the material as the material moves through the roll-forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: The Bradbury Company
    Inventors: Jason E. Green, Gregory S. Smith
  • Patent number: 7111485
    Abstract: A stencil-like plate with angled shapes cut through the plate surface. The plate is adapted to having a piece of flashing inserted perpendicularly into one of the angled shapes and pulled through the plate. A resulting elongated bend angle is formed in the pliable flashing strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Paul J. Fiore
  • Patent number: 7111547
    Abstract: A tying device and method of assembling same is disclosed. The tying device has a wire guide member adapted for mounting on an upper platen of a baling press. The wire guide member includes a top wall and side walls depending laterally from the top wall to form a channel. A door is pivotally mounted to one of the side walls, and the door having an inner, forward edge extending generally perpendicular to the side walls for guiding the wire tie into the channel. A removable wear insert is mounted to one of the side walls and has a cutout adapted to receive a portion of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Barton W. Daniel
  • Patent number: 7107813
    Abstract: A progressive pressing apparatus having multiple pressing stages, each including a gate-shaped supporting frame on which one of a plurality of die sets is detachably and adjustably disposed. The apparatus further includes rails above the pressing stages. Each supporting frame is movable along the rails, and includes a hydraulic cylinder which applies a pressing force to the corresponding die set while extending in the vertical direction. Two opposite upper end portions of each supporting frame are provided with rolling wheels which are capable of rolling along the upper surfaces of the rails. Each supporting frame includes a pair of columns. Each pair of columns is respectively provided with a pair of securing units. Each pair of securing units secures the corresponding supporting frame to a base in a state such that the rolling wheels of the corresponding supporting frame are not in contact with the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Koura, Yuichi Koishi
  • Patent number: 7107807
    Abstract: A roll-forming machine includes in line a device (11) for unwinding metal strip (10) from a strip reel (12), a strip cutter (18), and a roll-forming section (30; 90). The roll-forming section includes a row of forming stations that include forming rolls that are carried by shafts which are supported on a respective one side of the sheet section. Each row of forming stations includes an edge cutter (58, 59; 102, 103) and a first forming station mounted on a common movable carrier (31, 32; 100, 101), for collective movement. The angle of the carrier relative to the longitudinal axis of the forming section can be adjusted and the carrier can be moved in a parallel manner transversely to said longitudinal axis so as to enable said movement and said angular adjustment of these forming stations to be achieved simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Ortic AB
    Inventors: Lars Ingvarsson, Lars Rudman
  • Patent number: 7107808
    Abstract: A shearing method for a thin plate including forming a protruded product part having a first sagging part when the thin plate with a thickness of not more than approximately 0.3 mm is performed with a half die cutting by pressing the half die cutting punch slightly larger than the half die cutting hole to form a shallow recessed part, fixing the product part by a fixing member, forming a second sagging part at an edge portion of the thin plate by pressurizing a scrap part by moving a pressure punch which is provided with a gap between the fixing member and the pressure punch and by being bent between the scrap part and the product part, and then separating the scrap part from the product part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Nakamura Seisakusho Kabushikigaisha
    Inventor: Hideyuki Miyahara
  • Patent number: 7104102
    Abstract: Bending machine (10) to obtain shaped elements from pre-cut profiles (11), equipped with a drawing assembly (14) which draws the profiles (11), first shearing means (13) arranged downstream of the drawing assembly (14) and bending means (12) arranged downstream of the first shearing means (13). Downstream of the bending means (12) are arranged second shearing means (15) to eliminate the terminal segments of the profiles (11) corresponding to the difference between the linear development of the shaped element to be produced and the length of the pre-cut profiles (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: M.E.P. Macchine Elettroniche Piegatrici SpA
    Inventors: Giorgio Del Fabro, Marcello Del Fabro