Patents Examined by David Jones
  • Patent number: 7080535
    Abstract: A hot blow-forming apparatus includes opposed and complementary forming tools adapted for hot blow forming a surface of a heated sheet-metal workpiece against a forming surface of one of the tools. The tools are also adapted to close upon and grip a peripheral edge of the workpiece and perform work on a central portion of the workpiece to produce a formed panel. The tools incorporate an improved extraction apparatus, which includes a plurality of opposed and complementary spring-loaded extractor pads. Opposed extractor pads are spring-loaded to different levels so as to apply spring-load differentials therebetween and thereby apply different extraction forces in different locations of the resultant formed panel for distortion-free removal of the formed panel from the working surfaces of the tooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Kruger, James G. Schroth, Richard Harry Hammar
  • Patent number: 7080534
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety apparatus for a machine such as a press brake. The machine has a first and a second machine part which perform a working movement towards each other. The first machine part has a leading edge in the direction of movement, and the leading edge defines a plane of movement. The safety apparatus has a plurality of first light barriers which run with the first machine part during the working movement, with the light beams of the first light barriers extending parallel to the plane of movement and being distributed in the region of the plane of movement in such a way that they run in advance of the leading edge with an increasing distance as viewed in the direction of the working movement. Furthermore, there is a control unit which stops the working movement in response to the first light barriers. There is also a configuration device, by means of which selected ones from the first light barriers can be deactivated at least for the duration of the working movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Dirk Schneiderheinze
  • Patent number: 7080542
    Abstract: A press mounted cam has an adapter, slide and a driver with range of sizes and working angles provided at low cost by driver and/or adapter constructions having base plates and a series of side by side upright plates of a number corresponding to a given length with an angled top corresponding to a given working angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Danly IEM, LLC
    Inventors: Victor L. Chun, Frank Madej, Brian Russell, Brian Lee Taylor
  • Patent number: 7076986
    Abstract: In a process for forming a linking element for a push belt for a continuously variable transmission, material is displaced from a central portion of the linking element during a blanking process, which central portion is substantially centrally located in the horizontal transverse direction. A blanking member which is applied during the blanking process, comprises a shaping surface which abuts against a front surface or a back surface of the linking element under the influence of pressure during the blanking process. The blanking member is provided with a relatively elevated central portion, which serves to displace material from the central portion of the linking element during the blanking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Van Doorne's Transmissie B.V.
    Inventors: Robert Arnoldus Andreas Mutsaers, Lambertus Cornelis Hendrikus Buysen, Jeroen Herman van Liempd, Marc André Mussaeus
  • Patent number: 7073367
    Abstract: An earring wire forming apparatus including a base, a lever rotatably mounted on the base and a wire retaining member rotatably mounted on the base for holding a piece of wire of predetermined length therein and limiting the rotational movement of the lever between a first position and a second position. The lever defines a first cylindrical projection thereon having a generally crescent-shaped slot in an upper portion thereof and a second cylindrical projection of a smaller diameter spaced from the first projection. A disk-shaped forming member is removably and rotatably mounted on the second cylindrical projection on the lever and carries a depending pin movable with the forming member between a first position wherein the pin extends into the slot in the cylindrical projection on the lever and a second position adjacent the opposite side of the projection from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Anthony Bruce Aldridge
  • Patent number: 7066001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for machining band-like or plate-like material (1), especially for punching, notching and forming it, the device comprising the body (2) of the device, at least one tool holder (3), most preferably a gap frame tool holder, between the upper branch (4) and lower branch (5) of which the material (1) to be processed is arranged to be fed, and to the upper branch (4) of which tool holder (3) is connected an upper tool magazine (6) comprising a plurality of upper tools (8), and to the lower branch (5) of which tool holder (3) is connected a lower tool magazine (7) comprising lower tools (9) corresponding to the said upper tools (8), a support means (10) for supporting the tool holder (3) movably on the body (2) of the device, a transfer means (11) for positioning the tool holder (3) in a transverse direction (B) with respect to the direction of feed (A) of the material (1) to be processed, and a power means (12) for effecting the machining movement for the tool comprised of the up
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Pivatic Oy
    Inventors: Veikko Pitkanen, Heikki Saariluoma, Ari Maenpaa
  • Patent number: 7066002
    Abstract: A metal sheet punch device for metal sheets which includes a longitudinally extended frame having forward and rearward ends and alignment devices for aligning the frame on a metal sheet. At least two metal punch devices are mounted on the frame, each including a metal punch support structure movably mounted on the frame and a metal punch having a pointed lower end, the metal punch mounted on the underside of the metal punch support arm structure. A support structure drive device such as a coiled spring is operatively connected to the metal punch support structure to rapidly move the metal punch support structure between a retracted position and an extended position and a trigger device is operatively connected to the metal punch devices to trigger each of them to drive the metal punch into the metal sheet to form at least two securement screw indentations therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventors: John Price, Leighton Schafer
  • Patent number: 7065952
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a chain where, upon the stressing of the chain, the links automatically arrange themselves with respect to one another in terms of their position in the chain, preventing any undesired link. A link can be developed in the form, in top view, of a drop or in the form of a keyhole. The described chain is not only suitable for application in lashing loads, but also for use with the manipulation of all accessory chain parts, in which the placement of a link is required, for example shortening hooks, shortening straps or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: J.D. Theile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Benecke
  • Patent number: 7065994
    Abstract: A permanent invisible magnetic marking and positioning system of unfinished steel rods, spring steel bars, workpieces, and the like. A midpoint or center of the rod, bar or workpiece is automatically located and a high-energy pulse is applied for an embedded magnetic marker in the workpiece. Meanwhile, the magnetizing heads can also be repositioned to various points on a workpiece for imparting manufacturing and product identification data. In the case of leaf springs, the center of a spring steel bar is located a magnetic marker is embedded there. A high-energy rectangular pulse imparts a permanent invisible magnetic marks and data. The embedded indicators having peak magnetic strength allow manual or automatic positioning for perfect alignment in bending, tapping and other forming processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventors: Donald M. Danko, Joseph H. Taddeo
  • Patent number: 7062949
    Abstract: A metal forming press has an oscillating beam driven at its center by a connecting rod connected to a throw on a crankshaft. The upper end of the beam is pivoted to a link which drives a ram. The lower end of the beam pivots about a rotating eccentric shaft having an eccentric lobe. As the beam oscillates, these eccentricities cause the lower pivot to move toward and away from the ram so that the arc of the upper pivot approximates a straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Donald R. Haulsee
  • Patent number: 7056194
    Abstract: The invention includes a semiconductive processing method of electrochemical-mechanical removing at least some of a conductive material from over a surface of a semiconductor substrate. A cathode is provided at a first location of the wafer, and an anode is provided at a second location of the wafer. The conductive material is polished with the polishing pad polishing surface. The polishing occurs at a region of the conductive material and not at another region. The region where the polishing occurs is defined as a polishing operation location. The polishing operation location is displaced across the surface of the substrate from said second location of the substrate toward said first location of the substrate. The polishing operation location is not displaced from said first location toward said second location when the polishing operation location is between the first and second locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Scott G. Meikle
  • Patent number: 7055362
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for bending a tube, a pipe, a conduit and/or a rod. A bender is rotatably mounted with respect to a frame. A guide element, such as a guide roller, is mounted with respect to the frame. The guide element or the guide roller can be fixed or can move with respect to the frame. The combination of the frame, the bender and the guide element can be conveniently transported, assembled, disassembled and used at any job site or construction location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph B. Widmayer
  • Patent number: 7051568
    Abstract: A multi-purpose hydraulic tool of the open center and closed center type is provided with an OC/CC knob mounted on the trigger activated spool. The spool has a knob which can be turned to easily move between OC and CC operating conditions, without the use of additional tools. A check spool assembly works in conjunction with spool assembly in the open-center condition to provide for release of oil at the end of the return stroke. Adapters are provided so that crimping heads can be easily interchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Southampton Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand Ciotti
  • Patent number: 7047721
    Abstract: Rope chain constructed of an assembly of link elements and a manufacturing process to make such link elements, each link element exhibiting a unique visual property, such as coloration, surface texture, reflectivity, design feature or characteristic, shape, or other visually attractive appearance. Methods of construction include surface pre-texturing, stamping, simultaneous surface texturing and stamping, and strip bending. Such unique visual property traits for the succession of link elements results in a more attractive, fanciful, more delicate and interesting fashion item. Each of the interconnected link elements along the rope chain may have the same or different visual properties, and may have multiple portions of varying color, texture, shape, or other visual properties. In another aspect of the invention, each link element may have exterior edges, or edge portions, exhibiting a flat, smooth, highly light reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventors: Meang K. Chia, Cheo K. Chia, Huy K. Chia
  • Patent number: 7043807
    Abstract: A rivet setting tool is provided with a mandrel collection system. The mandrel collection system uses a valve system to provide high and low vacuum states to draw rivet mandrels into a collection bottle. The low vacuum state provides an energy savings and reduced noise levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: James N. Woyciesjes, Theordore S. Komsta, Richard J. Babyak
  • Patent number: 7043956
    Abstract: To facilitate aligning and setting of a punch in a die of a press machine, a module cam assembly comprises a cam unit and an L-shaped module base. The cam unit comprises a cam driver, a cam slider equipped with a positive return to be driven by the cam driver, and a cam base holding the cam slider. The cam slider has a punch retainer on its vertical side. The L-shaped module base bears the cam unit, and is adapted to be fastened to the lower die holder. The L-shaped module base has a button die on its vertical leg in confronting relation with the punch retainer of the cam slider. This arrangement facilitates the centering and fastening of any tool to the press machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Sankyo Oilless Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro Higuchi, Hiroo Mishima, Shoji Nemoto
  • Patent number: 7043895
    Abstract: This articulated strap with links has a succession of modular assemblies, each comprising two articulated parts assembled to one another about a transverse center pin and equipped with means for receiving, on either side of this center pin, two transverse connecting articulation rods which are integral, on the one hand, with one of said articulated parts and issue laterally into a set-back portion of said modular assembly and, on the other hand, are integral with said two articulated parts and issue laterally from two projecting portions of said modular assembly, in such a way that, when said two articulated parts are aligned in order to receive one of said rods, the other of these rods is locked angularly about said transverse center pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Sébastien Mace
  • Patent number: 7040129
    Abstract: An actual plate thickness and actual material constants are measured during punching before bending. The measured information is reflected on the bending, so that the bending is performed efficiently and accurately. Punching is carried out for each blank developed based on a nominal plate thickness and nominal material constants in blanking before the bending of a work W. Then, an actual plate thickness distribution and an actual material constant distribution of the work W are calculated based on various data containing a ram stroke and a pressure detected in the punching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Junichi Koyama, Hitoshi Omata, Osamu Hayama, Kazunari Imai, Tokuro Takehara, Tetsuya Anzai
  • Patent number: 7040081
    Abstract: A low noise cable or the like protection and guide device is provided, which can suppress sliding contact wear of a sliding portion, which is liable to occur at the time of braking the rotation of connected link frame bodies, and can avoid collision noise and a braking load, which are liable to occur in a sliding portion at a rotation terminal position, and is easily formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shoichiro Komiya
  • Patent number: 7040010
    Abstract: An autofeed speed rivet tool and method which does not require a mandrel to be constantly withdrawn and re-stocked, is very efficient and can be used in a flow line application without requiring the line to be stopped to re-load the tool with rivets. A flexible tube carries rivets to a tool, along a guide wire. A flexible, inner tube may carry the rivets, and nylon balls may be provided on an outer tube where the nylon balls work as joints, and allow the outer tube to compress without shortening the center line. The tool may incorporate a plurality of inventive concepts, such as spoons with pivotable blades which grip the mandrel very much forward of the end of the mandrel, a transfer mechanism, rivet centering mechanisms and a mechanism for longitudinally managing the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Wim Bouman