Patents Examined by David Jones
  • Patent number: 6938449
    Abstract: By using a hydraulic forming device 20, a metal plate body 11 is placed on a support section 21b with a hollow section 21a formed on a lower die 21 filled with hydraulic fluid A. Subsequently, a blank holder 23 is lowered to clamp the peripheral edge section of the placed metal plate body 11 with the support section 21b. Then, the upper die 22 is lowered relative to the lower die 21 to pressedly deform the central section of the metal plate body 11 and to compress the hydraulic fluid A to increase the fluid pressure. A rib-like convex section 12 is transferred onto the metal plate body 11 by the increased fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A and a formed section 22a. Further, the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A is kept for a predetermined time. Then, the increased fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Kusunoki, Masanao Shiomi, Naoki Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6938448
    Abstract: A panel, such as is intended for an aircraft wing panel, has continuous ribs extending on one surface. The panel is formed, or given a dihedral bend, by shot peening the ribs at a V-shaped section to expand the V-shaped sections and thus deform the panel. A strong formed panel is thus provided with continuous ribs. Further shot peening steps can be carried out on the panel for further shaping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sonaca NMF Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kennerknecht, David Cook
  • Patent number: 6935150
    Abstract: The mould (10) includes at least one part (20), intended to be in contact with the component (12) being moulded, made from sintered vitreous silica. According to the process, said component (12) is formed by the superplastic forming in the mould (10) of a plate (18) made of a material capable of undergoing superplastic deformation, for example titanium or titanium alloy, aluminium or aluminium alloy, or any material exhibiting superplastic properties. Preferably, a barrier is formed between at least a part of the contact surfaces of the mould (10) and the component (12) being moulded, for example by coating with boron nitride, at least partially, the contact surfaces of the mould (10) and the component (12) being moulded, before placing the plate (18) in the mould (10), and/or by injecting an inert gas, notably helium or argon, between the contact surfaces of the mould (10) and the component (12) being moulded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible Company
    Inventors: Daniel Merle, Frédéric Caillaud
  • Patent number: 6931830
    Abstract: A method for making a wire package for use as staples or brads is recited as forming a plurality of round wires, forming a plurality of flattened bonding sides on each wire to prepare even bonding surfaces on each wire and bonding each wire to an adjacent wire by adhering the surfaces of each wire. Each staple includes two or more flat surfaces to improve the bonding strength of each staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Chase Liao
  • Patent number: 6931901
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a required threaded hole is formed in a hydroformed part with a single tool while the part remains in a hydroforming die cavity. In forming the threaded hole, a hole is first pierced in the wall of the part and then an annular region of the part extending about the hole is extruded inwardly to form an integral tubular neck defining a hole of predetermined depth. The hole is then expanded in a sizing operation to a diameter determined by the required thread to be formed therein by material displacement and the required thread is then formed in the wall of the hole in a material displacing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mircea M. Ghiran, Spyros Pete Mellas, Benjamin D Kaufman
  • Patent number: 6928851
    Abstract: A riveting apparatus has a support die with a support surface. The support surface supports a rivet that extends through a circuit board and an electrical connector. The support surface has a first inclined surface, a second inclined surface, and a depression positioned therebetween. The depression receives a head of the rivet and positionally aligns the rivet with an upper tool unit as the rivet is guided across the first inclined surface toward the second inclined surface. The upper tool unit fastens the rivet to the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP K.K.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yagawa
  • Patent number: 6925795
    Abstract: To provide a cable or the like protection and guide device that does not disperse dust particles such as wear particles generated by slide or friction between a cable or the like and link frame bodies. A number of link frame bodies (11) articulably connected to each other in the longitudinal direction of the device in a state where a cable or the like (14) are accommodated and hermetically sealed, each comprise a pair of link plate (23) disposed on both sides of the cable or the like, and connecting rods (22, 24) bridged across the link plates on the bend outer peripheral side and on the bend inner peripheral side, respectively. Between at least the bend outer peripheral side of the link plate and the connecting rod (24) bridged on the bend outer peripheral side is openably provided a sealing structure by concave and convex fitting (48, 49, 148, 149, 148, 149).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shoichiro Komiya
  • Patent number: 6918279
    Abstract: A blind riveting device for placing blind rivets includes a device head, wherein an opening for receiving a rivet bolt and a suction device for producing a negative pressure for holding the rivet bolt in the opening are arranged in the head. A control unit for switching the suction device on and off by an actuating element is provided at a handle which is connected to the head. For facilitating the manipulation of the blind riveting device, the actuating element can be locked in a switched-on position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: GESIPA Blindniettechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Wille
  • Patent number: 6918242
    Abstract: Several methods of forming links are disclosed, whereby the outer peripheries of such links are contoured prior to assembly into rope chains. In one embodiment, the wire used in the formation of intertwinable links is contoured and then cut into individual, precontoured links. In another embodiment, the outer periphery of non-contoured links are individually contoured prior to the intertwining of such links to form actual rope chains. In another embodiment, individual links are stamped with inner and outer peripheries of different shapes. In yet another embodiment, individual links are collectively contoured, preferably after arrangement on a support such as an ice lathe or a mandril. Such contouring can be accomplished by hand, machine or the like. If such links are not already provided with a gap, then a gap can be formed into the links as part of the contouring step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventors: David Rosenwasser, Avraham Moshe Rosenwasser
  • Patent number: 6912836
    Abstract: A hanging chain structure for a pendent lamp includes a plurality of hanging rings connected with each other. Each of the hanging rings includes a hook body, and a stop member pivotally mounted on the hook body. Thus, the hanging rings are connected with each other easily and rapidly, so that the hanging chain structure is assembled easily and rapidly, thereby facilitating the operator mounting the hanging chain structure. In addition, the hanging chain structure is combined with the pendent lamp and the ceiling easily and rapidly, thereby facilitating the operator mounting the pendent lamp to the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Dong Guan Bright Yinhuey Lighting Co., Ltd. China
    Inventor: Kevin Hsu
  • Patent number: 6912884
    Abstract: Providing a method of hydroforming a tube where the hydroformed diameter is less than the tube length and a hydroforming die having two or more die members having an internal shape same as the tube shape and an internal cavity having the desired formed shape. Where the said die members are movable to an opened and closed position such that the tube is placed inside the die members cavities and the tube ends are sealed and hydraulic pressure source is connected to the interior of the tube and thereby expanding the tube so as to conform to the shape of the said die members cavities. And where the directions of opening and closing of the said die members are in the direction of the said tube axis such that the amount of force necessary to hold the die members in a closed position during said step of expanding, is kept to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Mohamed T. Gharib
  • Patent number: 6912763
    Abstract: The invention concerns a clamping connection for an interchangeable mandrel (1) and drive shaft (13) of a riveting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Masterfix Products B.V.
    Inventor: Martin Kovar
  • Patent number: 6907649
    Abstract: A setting apparatus 1 for setting a blind nut or the like to a workpiece, comprises a mandrel 7, a hydraulic cylinder 17 receiving therein a hydraulic piston 15 for axially pulling the mandrel 7, an oil reservoir 22 for containing oil to be supplied to the hydraulic cylinder 17, and an air cylinder 27 for receiving therein an air piston 26 connected to a ram 25 adapted to be reciprocatingly advanced and retracted in the oil reservoir 22. In response to the compressed air supplied to the air cylinder, the hydraulic piston 15 is moved to pull the mandrel 7, whereby a fastener threadedly connected with the mandrel is set to a workpiece. The setting apparatus 1 also includes an air-pressure setting valve 33 for adjustably presetting the air pressure of the compressed air to be supplied to the air cylinder 27.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 6907648
    Abstract: A nut-plate riveter which includes multiple pistons which assist in creating a pulling force. The nut-plate riveter provides that spent mandrels are pulled through the tool, thereby avoiding problems in the field. The nut-plate riveter includes a handle and a plurality of pistons disposed in the handle. Cavities are proximate the pistons for pressurizing the pistons, and air supply passages are in communication with the cavities for supplying air to the cavities to pressurize the pistons. A piston rod is engaged with at least one of the pistons, and the piston rod has a longitudinal bore therethrough which is configured to receive a spent mandrel. A deflector fitting may be disposed at an end of the nut-plate riveter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Ahmed Eldessouky
  • Patent number: 6907761
    Abstract: A method of superplastically forming a workpiece comprises placing the workpiece (16) in a die (14) and heating the workpiece (16) to a temperature at which the workpiece (16) is superplastically formable. Pressure is applied to the workpiece (16) to superplastically form the workpiece (16) to the shape of the die (14). The temperature of the workpiece (16) is measured and is analysed to determine the measured temperature distribution of the workpiece (16) at stages in the superplastic forming process. A database of desired temperature distributions of the workpiece (16) at different stages in the superplastic forming process is kept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Peter J Spence, Richard G Milburn
  • Patent number: 6904746
    Abstract: Several methods of forming links for use with the creation of rope chains is disclosed, whereby the outer peripheries of such links are contoured prior to assembly into rope chains. In one embodiment, the wire used in the formation of intertwinable links is contoured and then cut into individual, pre-contoured links. In another embodiment, the outer periphery of non-contoured links are individually contoured prior to the intertwining of such links to form actual rope chains. In another embodiment, individual links are collectively contoured, preferably after arrangement on a support such as a mandril. Such contouring can be accomplished by hand, machine or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventors: David Rosenwasser, Avraham Moshe Rosenwasser
  • Patent number: 6901784
    Abstract: A countersinking tool for countersinking openings into a hollow metal door frame in order to insert wall anchors through the openings to lie flush with the door frame. The countersinking tool has two parts. The nut is a base with a threaded opening extending lengthwise through its center. The bolt has a hexagonal-sided top that tapers to a threaded screw insertable into the threaded opening of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Justice
  • Patent number: 6898958
    Abstract: A tool for reorienting a flange member from a first angle of orientation to a second angle of orientation. The tool comprises a support member which includes a guide member; and the tool also comprises a shoe supported by the support member, the shoe comprising a leading portion and a first side portion adjacent the leading portion, the leading portion comprising a leading edge adapted to be located beneath the flange member and a reorienting surface for directing and displacing the flange to an orientation between the first and second angles of orientation, the side portion and guide member defining an orienting gap for orienting the moved flange to the desired second angle of orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: Edward T. Staquet
  • Patent number: 6895737
    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: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Aurafin, LLC
    Inventor: Giuseppe A. Dal Monte
  • Patent number: 6895738
    Abstract: A security chain including a plurality of links interconnected. Each link includes a central member having first and second ends. The central member is formed by a hollow elongated tube with openings at the first and second ends. The hollow elongated tube has a generally circular cross section. First and second connector members are each welded across a separate one of the openings providing a high strength security chain suitable for anti-theft applications. Additional types of security chains are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito