Patents Examined by Teresa M. Bonk
  • Patent number: 8079243
    Abstract: The plug is for expanding the inside diameter of the end portion of a metal pipe. Its cross section is a circle, and includes a taper portion and a parallel portion connected to the tail end of the taper portion. The diameter of the taper portion gradually increases from the head end of the taper portion to the tail end of the taper portion where the diameter is D1. The axial distance LR from the point where the diameter D2=D1×0.99 to the tail end where the diameter is D1 satisfies the Expression 22?LR/((D1?D2)/2)?115. The taper angle on the surface where the diameter is D2 is larger than or equal to the taper angle on the tail surface of the taper portion following the point where the diameter is D2. The diameter of the parallel portion is D1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Okui, Koichi Kuroda, Masayoshi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7908897
    Abstract: A spline rolling tool including a plurality of forming teeth that are to bite into a cylindrical workpiece so as to roll splines in the workpiece. Each of the forming teeth has an incomplete toothed region in which a crest of each forming tooth is removed such that an upper end of each forming tooth in the incomplete toothed region is defined by an incomplete-toothed region surface that includes a curved surface portion, a flat surface portion and a slant surface portion. The incomplete-toothed region surface is defined at its periphery by a chamfered edge that has a surface roughness of not larger than about 3.2 ?m. Also disclosed is a process of manufacturing the spline rolling tool, which includes a chamfering step of forming the chamfered edge by using a wire brush having abrasive grains that are fixed to bristles of the wire brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., OSG Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Igarashi, Hideo Watanabe, Nobuyoshi Asaga, Satoshi Komuro, Takeshi Mochizuki, Daisuke Sakurai, Manabu Igusa, Yoshihiro Umebayashi, Masahiro Oiwake
  • Patent number: 7905130
    Abstract: A threading turret assembly includes a plurality of threading heads. The threading heads comprise first and second threading rollers. The threading head is configured to impart a thread onto a metallic can such that a threaded cap may be screwed onto the can to seal an opening in the can. The turret assembly is configured to rotate such that the plurality of threading heads orbit the centerline of rotation about which the turret rotates. The turret is configured to impart a rotation onto the plurality of threading heads as the threading heads orbit the center of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Belvac Production Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold James Marshall, Jeffrey L. Shortridge
  • Patent number: 7900494
    Abstract: A device for re-shaping a trailer frame includes a support structure for receiving the trailer frame therein and means connected to the support structure for securing the trailer therein. Once secured, at least one hydraulic ram that is connected to and selectively moveable about the support structure is able to apply a predetermined force against the frame. A control device is positioned on the support structure and connected to the at least one hydraulic ram for controlling operation thereof. Upon securing the trailer via the securing means, the at least one hydraulic ram is positioned adjacent the frame and the control mechanism is selectively operable to cause the at least one hydraulic ram to apply the predetermined force on the frame thereby reshaping the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Isidro Chavez
  • Patent number: 7895870
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method for producing an ultra thin wall metallic tube by cold working method with significant wall thickness reduction. In a method for producing the metallic tube with a cold pilger mill according to the invention, cold rolling is performed while tube diameters are being expanded using rolls having tapered groove dies whose calibers increase from an engaging entry side toward a finishing exit side. In a method for producing the metallic tube with a drawing machine according to the invention, cold drawing is performed while the tube diameters are being expanded using a solid die whose calibers increase from an engaging entry side toward a finishing exit side and a plug of a tapered mandrel bar whose diameters increase from an entry side of the die toward an exit side. In the metallic tube producing method, a maximum diameter of the plug or tapered mandrel bar may be larger than an outside diameter of the mother tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7895874
    Abstract: A method of forging a workpiece includes (a) incrementally advancing the workpiece in a closed die forge, the closed die forge including a stationary, flat die and a first split die including a plurality of first die segments, each die segment being incrementally advanced in sequence to contact the incrementally advancing workpiece; (b) replacing the stationary, flat die with a second split die including a plurality of second die segments; and (c) forging the workpiece forged in (a) between the first split die and the second split die, wherein the first die segments are stationary and at least some of the plurality of second die segments are incrementally advanced in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manu Mathai, Raymond Stonitsch, Guven Yucesan
  • Patent number: 7886570
    Abstract: A hand tool comprising first and second jaw members and first and second handle members, the first handle and both jaw members being cooperatively connected by a force multiplying linkage system. A force applied to the first handle drives the linkage system to close the jaws to crimp or cut a work piece. In one embodiment of the invention, a link in the linkage system has a first end movable between first and second positions relative to its first end pivot pin wherein the first and second jaw members close a first distance when the link first end is in the first position and close a second distance when the link first end is in the second position. Other embodiments comprise other step-wise changes in distance between force-bearing pivot locations in the linkage system to close the jaws progressive distances with successive closures of the first and second handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: MIL3, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Cleland, Joseph R. Lemmens
  • Patent number: 7886567
    Abstract: A die apparatus and method for performing a flashless forging operation to manufacture the toothed portion of a steering rack. The die apparatus includes first and second die members and at least one punch member, each having a forming surface shaped substantially as the obverse of a portion of the toothed portion. At least a portion of the forming surface of the first die member is shaped substantially as the obverse of the teeth of the rack. The first and second die members are moveable towards each other to a closed position, thereby partially forging the toothed portion from a blank placed in the die apparatus, and forming a substantially closed cavity defined by the forming surfaces. The punch member is adapted to move into the cavity once the die members are in the closed position, thereby completing the forging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Bishop Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Juergen Dohmann, Johann Friederich Jaeggi, Lyle John McLean
  • Patent number: 7882721
    Abstract: A container bodymaker gearbox (20, 130) drives rams (60, 66) linearly by use of a hypocycloid drive that controls operation of a rotating and orbiting output shaft (40) by synchronizing the rotating and orbiting motion such that a tracking point at a predetermined radius from the shaft 40 tracks a straight line. A coaxial sleeve (124) is spaced around shaft (40) and carries an annular crank hub (140) on bearings (142). The crank hub (140) is eccentrically mounted on the sleeve (124) with the hub centerpoint positioned to track the straight line tracking point. A rotary ring (166) mounted around the periphery of the crank hub (140) supports diametrically opposed connections (176) to rams (60, 66). The ring (166) and rams (60, 66) translate on the straight-line path determined by the centerpoint, with the hub (140) rotating as required within the ring (166) to cancel rotary motion of hub (14) from the translational motion of the ring (166).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Laszlo A. Gombas
  • Patent number: 7862441
    Abstract: The die has a bore that is generally sized to fit onto a like-sized stud. Threads are formed on the interior of the bore for cutting the threads on the stud. The die includes an integrated alignment mechanism to ensure that the die is aligned with respect to the stud as the die is rotated onto the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventor: Derek J. Nash
  • Patent number: 7861568
    Abstract: A die set for press-forming a blank of thin metallic sheet. The die set has a punch and a blank holder. The blank holder has a first bead for restraining an edge of the blank with a constant force. The first bead is disposed further to an inside than a second bead for restraining the edge of the blank with a force that varies during pressing of the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Yasuhiko Kitano, Yoshimitsu Ishihara, Shingo Maeda
  • Patent number: 7862440
    Abstract: The invention relates to both nut assemblies and methods for producing the same. Said nut assemblies consist of a nut body (1a) and a pressure disk (2a). The nut body has a drive portion, such as a polygonal portion, for engaging with a tool and an abutment region that can be brought into contact with the supporting surface of the pressure disk arranged on the nut body in a captive manner. The pressure disk has a central opening into which a neck formed on the nut extends axially at least in part. The neck has a projection for forming a captive connection. This projection radially overlaps or engages the thrust ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Vogel, Ewald Baechle
  • Patent number: 7861569
    Abstract: A reaction device for forming equipment includes a base, a reaction member movably spaced therefrom by guides, and a return gas spring carried by the base and operatively engaged to the reaction member for yieldably biasing the reaction member away from the base. The base has a return gas spring passage and guide shaft passages spaced apart therefrom. A return gas spring is received in the return gas spring passage of the base, and has a piston rod with an end arranged for contact with the reaction member. The guides include guide shafts arranged for engagement with the reaction member and disposed in guide bushings, which are received in the guide shaft passages of the base and preferably project below the base for use in locating the reaction device on the forming equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Dadco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Cotter, Michael C. Diebolt
  • Patent number: 7861571
    Abstract: A mechanical process to reduce and/or reform the mass of a tube (either metallic or of some other material) to specified dimensions, by any or all of the following means: thinning the wall of the tube, reducing the diameter of the tube, and elongation of the tube. The tube is operated on by a ball and a die having interior areas including: an initial entry with reduction angle, a wall reduction chamber, a final reduction angle, a land/bearing, and an exit relief ending in an area with a reverse taper. The tube has an outside diameter larger than the wall reduction chamber (in the raw material starting size) with a wall thickness somewhat larger than the gap between the outside diameter of the ball, and the inside diameter of the wall reduction chamber. The tube is pulled, pushed or drawn between the die and the ball, reducing its dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Vincent Giaimo
  • Patent number: 7861570
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a drug eluting stent, the method comprising coupling a stent framework to a mandrel, inserting the mandrel with stent framework into an open die, the die including a forming surface including a plurality of raised indentation forming portions; closing the die against the stent framework; pressing the raised indentation portions into the stent framework to form indentation in the stent framework; and inserting at least one drug polymer into the indentation formed in the stent framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Thomas
  • Patent number: 7861566
    Abstract: A bending press for making tubing from a substantially planar and longitudinally extending metal sheet has a support extending transversely generally parallel to the sheet vertically offset from the sheet, and a bender at one of the edges of the sheet and slidable transversely generally parallel to the sheet on the support. The bender has a pair of bending tools, a tie rod extending transversely in the direction adjacent the pair of tools, and an actuator braced transversely in the direction between the tie rod and the tools and extensible in the direction to tension the rod and press the tools against opposite faces of the sheets at the one edge to deform the one edge. A clamp is engageable between the bender and the support for releasably locking the bender to the support at any of a plurality of positions offset transversely therealong generally parallel to the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: SMS Meer GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Kolbe, Uwe Feldmann, Frank Viegen, Karl Böhmer
  • Patent number: 7819143
    Abstract: A reinforcing bar binder capable of certainly identifying the type of a wire reel and automatically adjusting the amount of feeding of the wire wound around the wire reel or the twisting torque on the wire is provided. The reinforcing bar binder feeds a wire while rotating a wire reel mounted in a storing chamber and binds a reinforcing bar. The storing chamber is provided with a first detecting means for detecting the amount of rotation of the wire reel and a second detecting means for detecting the number of second to-be detecting portions on the wire reel during the amount of rotation detected by the first detecting means. The binder main body is provided with controlling means for controlling the amount of feeding of the wire or the twisting torque on the wire based on the basis of the number of the second to-be-detected portions detected by the second detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Max Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Nagaoka, Ichiro Kusakari
  • Patent number: 7788957
    Abstract: An apparatus for sizing a pipe end comprising: a plug 3 for sizing the pipe end; a chuck 2 for clamping the pipe; and shifting means for shifting the position of the plug 3 and/the chuck 2, which are placed successively from the end of the pipe 2, and the plug 3 has a circular cross section, and is constituted by a taper portion 31 and a diameter equivalent portion 32 continuously formed from the tip of the plug in succession. The outer diameter of the taper portion 31 is gradually expanding from the tip toward the rear end while satisfying the following formulas (1) and (2). The chuck 2 is capable of changing clamping position of the pipe 1. This apparatus makes it possible to size the inner diameter of a pipe end with superior dimensional precision 22?LR/(D1×0.01/2)?115 ??(1) R2?R1 ??(2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Okui, Kouichi Kuroda, Masayoshi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7784322
    Abstract: An improved convenience closure that is adapted for sealing an end of a can includes an end panel having a peripheral score, a rivet formation, a mustache score and a flex line score defined therein. The mustache score may include a central portion that is positioned radially inwardly on the end panel relative to the rivet formation. The central portion is preferably curved, with a concave side of the curvature facing the rivet formation. The mustache score also may include first and second preferably symmetrical end portions, each of which is continuous with the central portion. Most of the total length of each of the end portions may be curved away from a nearest portion of the peripheral score, with a convex side of curvature facing the nearest portion of the peripheral score. Tooling for making the convenience closure and a method of making such a convenience disclosure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Heinicke
  • Patent number: 7784323
    Abstract: An improved convenience closure that is adapted for sealing an end of a can includes an end panel having a peripheral score, a rivet formation, a mustache score and a flex line score defined therein. The mustache score may include a central portion that is positioned radially inwardly on the end panel relative to the rivet formation. The central portion is preferably curved, with a concave side of the curvature facing the rivet formation. The mustache score also may include first and second preferably symmetrical end portions, each of which is continuous with the central portion. Most of the total length of each of the end portions may be curved away from a nearest portion of the peripheral score, with a convex side of curvature facing the nearest portion of the peripheral score. Tooling for making the convenience closure and a method of making such a convenience disclosure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Heinicke