Patents Examined by Ed Tolan
  • Patent number: 7134304
    Abstract: A micro-roll forming device for providing a cylindrical blank metal article with a minute convexoconcave bearing surface, comprises a powered article holding structure that, when energized, rotates the cylindrical blank metal article about its axis; a forming tool that includes a form roller with a corrugated circular ridge; a tool holding structure that holds the forming tool in such a manner that the corrugated circular ridge of the form roller is directed toward and in contact with an outer surface of the cylindrical blank metal article rotatably held by the article holding structure; a biasing member that is incorporated with the tool holding structure to press the form roller against the outer surface of the cylindrical blank metal article with a given pressing force; and a powered moving structure that, when energized, moves at least one of the article holding structure and the tool holding structure in such a manner that the selected one moves in both a first direction perpendicular to an axis of the u
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuomi Nakayama, Minoru Ota, Manabu Wakuda, Kazuhiko Takashima
  • Patent number: 7134303
    Abstract: A device (1) for socket-deforming an end of a tube, for example a tube of a heat exchanger, and for cutting that tube to a desired length, the cutting taking place at the end to be deformed. The The device (1) comprises a deformation and cutting member (5) to be inserted into the tube to be worked, the member (5) comprising deforming means (15) arranged to at least locally modify the inner diameter of the deformation and cutting member (5) by varying its perimetral dimensions, said deforming means (15) being arranged to cooperate, for effecting said dimensional variation, with actuator means (40) with a movable support (12), the deforming elements carrying cutting elements (31) for separating an end tube portion by acting from the inside of the tube without chip removal, in order to obtain a deformed tube of the required length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: OMTR S.R.L.
    Inventor: Ersilio Re
  • Patent number: 7131305
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for spin forming a portion of a workpiece includes at least two rollers rotatable about a spin axis. Each one of the rollers is axially and radially offset from the others. An axial drive mechanism reciprocates the rollers or workpiece to causes the first roller and then the second roller to sequentially engage the workpiece. A higher reduction ratio is achieved which enables improved efficiency. The present invention reduces floor space requirements as the forming operation may be completed on a single machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Egas Jose Desousa, John C. Boehnke, James M. Ciosek, Frederick D. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7131304
    Abstract: A spinning method which makes it possible to control the pressing force of a roller tool with satisfactorily high responsiveness and have the roller tool press work following the contour of a forming die even if the die may have its radial length vary at a high speed relative to the angle of its rotation when making a product which is not circular in its cross section normal to the axis of rotation of the die, and an apparatus therefor. The roller tool is driven by at least two mutually crossing linear motors and the thrust to be generated by each linear motor is adjusted to control the feeding displacement of the roller tool and the pressing force of the roller tool against a piece of work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventor: Hirohiko Arai
  • Patent number: 7131308
    Abstract: A method for forming metal-cladded metal matrix composite wires. The method associates a ductile metal cladding to the exterior surface of a metal matrix composite wire comprising a plurality of continuous, longitudinally positioned fibers in a metal matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Colin McCullough, Douglas E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7127926
    Abstract: A method of making Circular and Oval Flanged Rings, for the connection of thin walled circular and oval ducting, including Circular and Oval Flanged Rings having a Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) standard T24 Profile. Thin gauge Lock Form Quality steel, from 10 to 20 gauge, is cut into strips with the strip ends butt welded forming Flanged Ring Band Stock which is inserted and clamped into a Spinning Die. The Spinning Die is rotated by a horizontally configured lathe output shaft presenting the extended portion of the Flanged Ring Band Stock for machine tool forming. Standard machine tools are used to form the Flanged Ring Band Stock into a Circular Flanged Ring including the SMACNA T24 Flanged Ring Profile. A Circular Flanged Ring is cut along a diameter into Semi-circular Flanged Ring Portions; straight segments including segments with SMACNA T24 Linear Segments are roll formed, assembled into a oval shape within a fixture and welded forming the Oval Flanged Ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: J. A. Hermanson
  • Patent number: 7127927
    Abstract: A continuous shear deformation apparatus comprises: a roller for pushing a metal sheet to be processed into dies; the dies having an inlet for introducing a metal sheet, a shear deformation zone for shear-deforming the sheet, and an exit; and a control unit for controlling a gap of the dies exit depending on the compressive stress generated at the metal sheet while the metal sheet passes through the shear deformation zone of the dies. The compressive stress generated at the metal sheet becomes constant when the metal sheet is shear-deformed, and thereby the thickness of the metal sheet is uniformly controlled in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Young-Hoon Chung, Jong-Woo Park
  • Patent number: 7124620
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an apparatus in the straightening bench of the car body, which straightening bench includes a straightening table and a set of frame beams, attaching elements for attaching the car to the set of frame beams, at least a part of which attaching elements have been attached movably to the set of frame beams for attaching cars of various sizes to the straightening table. The apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a transfer beam to be attached movably to the frame beam of the straightening table, to which transfer beam a part of the attaching elements are attached, locking elements for attaching the transfer beam removably to the frame beam and a transfer device for transferring the transfer beam in regard to the frame beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Autorobot Finland Oy
    Inventor: Olavi Venäläinen
  • Patent number: 7124617
    Abstract: A magnetic dent removal device (18), method and kit comprises a handle assembly (20) used with a burnishing element (24). The handle assembly (20) includes a handle (26), a containment cup (30) and a magnet (22) received within the containment cup (30). A magnet shield (40) is connected to the handle assembly (20), and a cover pad (38) can be attached to the magnet shield (40). A hooking element (64) can be attached to the handle assembly (20) to allow for the attachment of accessory components to aid in dent removal. An amplification bar (56) can be attached to the hooking element (64) to add strength to the magnetic force. A kit (74) for dent removal includes a carrying case (76), at least one handle (26), at least one magnet (22), at least one burnishing element (24) at least one cover pad (38), and at least one magnet shield (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventors: Eric Richard Satterlee, Wayne Tanabe
  • Patent number: 7124609
    Abstract: Method of a spin forming conical fittings for HVAC systems from 10 to 26-gauge steel material. A flat pattern is cut, stamped or otherwise formed from flat sheet stock or roll stock. The pattern is rolled or otherwise formed into a frustoconical shape. The workpiece is engaged with a die, and the end portions of the workpiece are formed as the workpiece is spun to press the workpiece against the die. In this manner, a small diameter collar portion is formed at the smaller end of the conical connector and/or a larger diameter collar portion is formed at the larger diameter end of the conical connector. Also, a flange connector can be formed at the larger and/or smaller end portions of the conical connector using spin forming or a combination of spin forming and roll forming techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Jeffrey Allen Hermanson
  • Patent number: 7121952
    Abstract: A pneumatic or manual impact operated nailer requires fasteners in a clip, typically of about 100 fasteners. The invention provides uniform well-bonded fasteners in a clip for use in a pneumatic or manual nailer, the clips being adhesive-free. In addition, this invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing such adhesive-free clips by press-forming the fasteners, placing them in proper orientation in a fixture on a rotatable turret rotating the turret to a welding location, spot welding or seam welding the fasteners, and rotating the turret to a clip unloading station. The clip product is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Jerry D. Coleman, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7121128
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elliptic deep-drawn product including a first step of providing an intermediate product and a second step of providing an end product. In the first step, a rotary forming die is used to form in a blank a substantially round formed portion of a U-shaped cross-section. In the second step, the formed portion is deformed at its semicircular portion by press working to form an elliptic portion, being formed into a final shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kato, Tomio Sugiyama, Hirohide Azuma, Tsugio Saito
  • Patent number: 7117707
    Abstract: A method of thermomechanically forming an aluminide part of a workpiece resistively heats at least a portion of the aluminide part, plastically deforms the heated portion of the aluminide part to a predetermined shape by applying pressure to the aluminide part positioned in a shaping member, and cools the aluminide part while applying pressure to maintain the aluminide part in the predetermined shape. The shaping member is movable mounted on a support base and a source of electricity provides an electrical current passing through the aluminide part for resistive heating of the part. The aluminide part can be a heater blade array for an electrically heated cigarette smoking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Adams, Naohisa Tsukamura
  • Patent number: 7114358
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding a free end of a tube by use of a fluted spinning tool. The fluted spinning tool of the present invention, when rotated at a predetermined speed into the free end of the tube, produces a combination of force, rotation, and heat which results in uniform expansion of the free end of the tube. Further, the fluted spinning tool of the present invention allows for the rapid and efficient production of expanded tube parts, such parts being evenly formed with minimal bias on the expanded free ends of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Arrow Fabricated Tubing, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Lamb
  • Patent number: 7112142
    Abstract: A method of cold forming a self-attaching female fastener (20) which includes deforming a fastener blank (120) having an annular pilot, (122) an annular flange (128) surrounding the pilot and a groove (132) in the flange having cylindrical walls and annular protrusions (152, 154) on the flange and pilot, then deforming the protrusions toward each other to form an annular re-entrant groove (32) having relatively inclined arcuate walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley E. Wojciechowski, John M. Parker
  • Patent number: 7112143
    Abstract: Cold thread forming tap or screw tap with a shaft, said shaft having a chuck portion at the one end and a forming or cutting profile portion on the other end, the forming or cutting profile portion being realised as a separate profile element and being fixable centrically and secured against rotation on the shaft by means of a fixing device, characterised in that the profile element has a small axial length and on the outside a lead-in or starting tap cone, respectively, that juts and/or indentations are formed at the end of the shaft and on that side of the profile element facing the shaft, which interlock in a positively fitting manner, that an automatic centring of the profile element takes place on the shaft when the profile element is put onto the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Fette GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Muller
  • Patent number: 7111484
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plug-in lower tool for a deep rolling apparatus. The tool includes a housing having a recessed region that defines a seat for removable mounting of the tool and a passage in communication with the seat. The tool includes a reciprocable member engageable with the tool to removably support the same in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Vincent J. Lonero
  • Patent number: 7107805
    Abstract: Method for the production of a spindle nut (3) of a spherical thread drive mechanism, whereby the spindle nut (3) has at least one screw-shaped track (4) formed as a single piece on its inner circumference, whose threads (38) are limited by shoulders (6). The shoulder (6) is interrupted by a deflecting recess (23) at at least one deflecting position, in order to deflect balls (13) out of one thread into an adjacent thread (38). The method includes locating a tool arbor (56) in a hollow blank (57), whereby the tool arbor (56) has on its outer circumference a counter profile of the screw-shaped track (4) and a projecting part (59) for each deflecting recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Osterlänger, Manfred Kraus, Torsten Keller, Thomas Motz
  • Patent number: 7108607
    Abstract: Helical groove fasteners and methods for producing the same are provided for use in systems requiring fluid passage through the fastener. In one embodiment, the fastener includes a shank, a head, a threaded portion, and at least one groove extending through at least a portion of the threaded portion. The fastener can include a single groove or multiple grooves. In certain preferred embodiments, the helix rotation angle of the groove is selected so that the shank has a continuous diameter to facilitate the thread forming process. In preferred embodiments, the fastener is cold forged and the threads are formed using a thread rolling die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ollie C. Swim, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7104108
    Abstract: A dent repair system includes a hammer apparatus comprising an elongated base member with proximate and distal ends. An elongated swing member with proximate and distal ends is pivotally mounted on the base member by a hinge assembly mounted on and pivotally connecting the members at their proximate ends. A tip is mounted on the base member distal end and an impact head is mounted on the swing member distal end. The swing member is movable between a splayed position with the impact head spaced from the base member distal end and a closed position with the impact head engaging the base member distal end. A pry bar apparatus includes primary, extension and handle sections. The primary section mounts a head assembly adapted for engaging and straightening a dent. A dent repair method includes the steps of straightening a dent with the hammer apparatus and with the pry bar apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: Ronald W. Roche