Patents Examined by David Jones
  • Patent number: 6986273
    Abstract: A hydroforming apparatus for concurrently performing two or more hydroforming operations includes a frame that is sized to support hydroforming dies in a stacked relationship. Each of the dies includes a pair of cooperating die sections having respective recesses that define a die cavity. Guide pins and actuating cylinders, attached to platens on which the die section are supported, move in coordination with a ram and assist in moving die sections that are distant from the ram. When the die cavities are opened, hollow tubular blanks are inserted between the spaced apart die sections of the first and second die. Next, the ram and the support mechanism move such that the pairs of cooperating die sections of the first and second dies engage one another. End feed cylinders are then moved laterally into engagement with the end the tubular blanks to facilitate the filling thereof with a hydroforming fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A. Rager
  • Patent number: 6983634
    Abstract: A rotary bending tool having a series of graphite plugs mounted in a saddle recess engaging a rocker surface to lubricate the same. The rocker is machined in an unhardened state and thereafter heat treated to be hardened, with reverse bending of the rocker thereafter carried out to correct any warpage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Danly IEM
    Inventors: Victor Chun, Frank Madej
  • Patent number: 6978526
    Abstract: A structure of rivet nut gun having a body, a handle and a pressure cylinder. The top of the handle is furnished with a mounting base having a through cylindrical hole. The lower end of the handle is furnished with a base surface for mounting the fastening disk. The body has a connector mounted with a connecting rod to penetrate through the cylindrical hole of the handle. The fastening disk is fastened to one end of the connecting rod by a nut. The fastening disk is connected with two symmetrical screw rods, which penetrate through the piston and the pressure cylinder, and are fastened to the bottom of the pressure cylinder by two nuts respectively so as to have the piston cylinder fastened in place and to prevent the pressure cylinder from deformation during the rivet nut gun operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 6978595
    Abstract: A cable carrier chain having improved strength and flexibility (including improved bilateral flexibility) useful in automotive and other applications contains pivotally joined chain links, each link containing two side plates, two undercut pins, two round apertures which are slightly oversized relative to the pins, a hinged cover lid and a bottom support plate. In the chain, the undercut pins of one chain link are mated with the slightly oversized apertures of an adjacent link, giving the chain increased strength and flexibility. The cover lid preferably includes a hinge member having a relatively thin horizontal strap hinge disposed between two relatively thick vertical hinge straps. The bottom surface of the support plate preferably contains ribs which reduce noise and wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jefferson S. Mendenhall, John H. Bakker, Peter T. Bucco
  • Patent number: 6978651
    Abstract: A roller cam with pairs of sliding surfaces and wear plates located in an upper plane and with pairs of laterally slanted sliding surfaces and pairs of laterally slanted guiding wear plates located in a lower plane. The guiding wear plates are longitudinally contained between end plates to avoid using screws, which might loosen under stress, to secure the wear plates. Adjusting setscrews are used to laterally adjust the guiding wear plates, and positive return members are used to provide a tool retracting force in addition to that provided by a retracting spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Anchor Lamina America, Inc.
    Inventor: Erich D. Fidziukiewicz
  • Patent number: 6978596
    Abstract: A 13 mm transitional modular Italian charm link capable of connecting to smaller 9mm charm links and/or other 13 mm charm links in various combinations. Charm links connect to one another using a spring loaded hook and post combination with the hook element emanating from the charm face to maintain the continuity of the bracelet but the hook elements of existing charm links do not properly mate with charm links of a different size. The present invention provides a charm link that may be configured in any of three configurations having a transitional hook and/or transitional post to accommodate charm links of a smaller width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Alfred Lee
  • Patent number: 6976378
    Abstract: A bending machine according to the present invention include: a first fixture member 22 for holding one end portion of a long work 20; a second fixture member 24 for holding the other end portion of the work 20; a rack 30 mounted on the first fixture member 22 so as to extend in longitudinal directions of the first fixture member 22; a roll-shaped bending die 21, mounted on the second fixture member 24, for bending the work along the outer peripheral surface of the second fixture member; a pinion gear 26 which is coaxially connected to the bending die 21 via a shaft 28 and which engages the rack 30; and a connecting member 27 for connecting the first fixture member 22 to the second fixture member 24 via the shaft 28 in a relatively rotatable state so that the pinion gear 26 is movable along the rack 30 while engaging the rack 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Sanoh Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6968671
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing jewelry and a chain article formed therefrom that results in a product substantially lighter than its solid counterpart. A length of wire mesh or woven wire type of “fabric” having a hollow seamed wire with a non-precious core of a width and length corresponding generally to the proportions of the jewelry chain to be created is provided. The non-precious core is then removed by one of many methods. Then, a series of hollow link sections are received on the length of wire mesh such that the interior surfaces of the links surround the mesh. The links are arranged in an end-to-end abutting relationship upon the mesh until the length of chain desired is reached. Alternatively, a spiral resembling a spring may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Aurafin, LLC
    Inventor: Giuseppe A. Dal Monte
  • Patent number: 6968718
    Abstract: A method for electromagnetically forming a metallic member includes deforming an end of a metallic member by electromagnetic forming, pressing the outer surface of the deformed end on the surface of a mold to form a flange having a predetermined shape at the end of the metallic member and, at the same time, work-harden the flange. The method is capable of forming a flange having a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of another member to be joined to the metallic member at an end of the metallic member with high dimensional accuracy and shape accuracy and secured joint strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihaya Imamura
  • Patent number: 6966209
    Abstract: An internal high-pressure deformation method for the production of in particular bulging out closed hollow bodies and a corresponding device are disclosed. At least two workpiece parts (1,2) are employed, wherein at least one of the two workpiece parts (1,2) preformed of cup shape and exhibits a flange, and are pressure agent sealingly pressed in the region of the flanges (1.1,1.2) in the deformation tool according to the invention such that the two work tool pieces (1,2) are together deformed by the internal high-pressure deformation method and are further processed separately or jointly after the internal high-pressure deformation. The apparatus is subdivided in tool regions (E1, E2, E3, E4) corresponding to the work piece forms to be generated and corresponding to the number of the workpiece parts (1,2), wherein the tool regions (E1, E2, E3, E4) are disposed in different planes (FIG. 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Bernd Schulze
  • Patent number: 6964153
    Abstract: There is provided a band for a timepiece comprising a plurality of inter-connected links, at least one of the links including a first portion made at least principally of a metallic material and a second portion made at least principally of an injection moldable material and fixedly secured thereto and molded thereover by injection moulding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Wing Hon Metal Manufactory LTD
    Inventors: Chin Hung Eddy So, Chin Ping So
  • Patent number: 6959581
    Abstract: In a press brake relatively moving an upper table (5U) or a lower table (5L) upward and downward by a plurality of hydraulic cylinders (17L and 17R) so as to perform a bending work, the respective hydraulic cylinders (17L, 17R) are driven by individually controlling a pair of left and right two-way. fluid pumps and hydraulic devices (21L, 21R) provided in correspondence to the respective hydraulic cylinders (17L, 17R) The two-way fluid pumps and the respective hydraulic devices (21L, 21R) are mounted to a base plate (23) mounted to cylinder heads (18L, 18R) of the respective hydraulic cylinders (17L, 17R), and an oil tank (27) is provided in an upper side of the hydraulic devices (21L, 21R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kanno
  • Patent number: 6959573
    Abstract: A bending apparatus reciprocates at least one of an upper table to which a punch is mounted and a lower table to which a corresponding plurality of adjacent divided dies are mounted. At least one bending angle detector is provided between the dies to detect a bending angle of the workpiece. A main body inserts the bending angle detector into a gap between the dies and withdraws the bending angle detector from the gap between the dies. A lift is biased upward by a first elastic body and is configured to be pressed downward by the workpiece at approximately a center of a groove portion of the dies. The lift includes a first engagement member. A rotor support is biased upward by two second elastic bodies having smaller biasing forces than the first elastic body. The rotor support includes second engagement members. Two rotors are provided on opposite sides of the groove portion at an upper portion of the rotor support. The two rotors include workpiece contacts that contact the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masateru Matsumoto, Koichi Yanagawa, Ken Hatano, Yutaka Takizawa
  • Patent number: 6955070
    Abstract: A device for punching work pieces in an internal high-pressure forming tool includes a punching die guided displaceably in a bore of the forming tool. The device also contains a drive with which the punching die is moved back and forth between the in-use position and the non-use position. In order to facilitate, in a simple and space-saving manner, the punching of work pieces in the internal high-pressure forming tool, the drive contains a pressure fluid and a pressure transfer device that can be elastically expanded via the pressure fluid between a base firmly attached to the tool and a punch head of the punching die. The pressure transfer device abuts a partition at least indirectly at the punch head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Jens Schult, Stefan Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6952916
    Abstract: A multi-link connector which is particularly suitable for use with a window operator. The multi-link connector includes a plurality of links (12) joined together by a joining arrangement (11). The links (12) include a base (13) and a pair of oppositely disposed walls (14) so that the links (12) form a generally channel shaped elongate length. The joining arrangement (11) provides a plurality of drive elements (11a) which extend transversely between the walls (14) and are accessible through a gap (16) formed between the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: ASSA Abloy Financial Services AB
    Inventor: Howard Fountaine
  • Patent number: 6951124
    Abstract: Notched areas are provided on the outer periphery of a flat plate in the coining process to allow material of said plate flow more easily toward the periphery during the coining process. Use of flat plate provides a more economical way of making elements with accurate size and dimensions for continuously variable transmission belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Aida Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisanobu Kanamaru, Nobuyuki Ishinaga, Shingo Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 6951125
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for aligning an integrated circuit die on an integrated circuit substrate. A plurality of deposits of deformable material are placed on the substrate where the integrated circuit die is to be aligned. In one advantageous embodiment a stamping tool is indexed to a first tooling hole and to a second tooling hole in the substrate. The stamping tool imprints the deposits of deformable material to a tolerance of less than one hundred microns with respect to the first and second tooling holes. The imprinted portions of the deposits a form a pocket for receiving the integrated circuit die. This enables the integrated circuit die to be precisely aligned on the substrate in three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Michael Siegel, Anthony M. Chiu
  • Patent number: 6941784
    Abstract: A bending method includes determining a provisional bending stroke value that resulted in a predetermined angle during test bending. The bending method also includes calculating a stroke value correction amount for correcting the provisional bending stroke value, based on the number of times a test piece was contacted to obtain the predetermined angle during test bending. The stroke value correction amount is added to the provisional stroke value to obtain a corrected stroke value, so as to obtain the predetermined angle during operational bending using the corrected stroke value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Junichi Koyama, Osamu Hayama, Hitoshi Omata, Kazunari Imai
  • Patent number: 6941786
    Abstract: A hydroforming system includes a dual conical tube formed from a blank. The dual conical tube has a first end, a second end and a central portion positioned between the first and the second ends. The central portion has a smaller cross sectional area than the first and the second ends. A shaping die is adapted to receive the dual conical tube, and the shaping die is subject to pressurize such that the tube substantially approximates the shape of the shaping die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Cooper, Corey Jarocki, Armando Joaquin, Carlos Perez
  • Patent number: 6938450
    Abstract: The tensioner assembly is provided for clamping at least two objects and comprises a tie rod member, a thrust ring positioned on the tie rod member against one of the objects, a first retaining member for removably engaging a distal end of the tie rod member, and a second retaining member for removably engaging the distal end of the tie rod member between the thrust ring and said first nut member and spaced apart therefrom. Each of the first and second retaining members is provided with a set of jackbolts adapted to engage complementary holes therein and to extend from the holes to compressively bias the thrust ring. The total load experienced by the tensioner assembly is shared by two retaining members so that load carried by the first retaining member remains substantially constant during operation, while the second retaining member is subject to stress variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Ouqi Zhang, James P. Larkin