Patents Examined by Teresa M. Bonk
  • Patent number: 7654124
    Abstract: In a method of making a sheet metal part for motor vehicles, a blank is placed with its opposite length sides between outer lower forming jaws of a die. The blank is then clamped by moving the outer lower forming jaws toward one another. Outer upper forming jaws are then moved to their closed position so that the length sides of the blank are secured in place between the lower and upper forming jaws. The lower and upper forming jaws and a press tool are then moved toward one another, and the blank is shaped to its final configuration to produce a sheet metal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Jürgen Knaup
  • Patent number: 7650743
    Abstract: A line guidance unit, for the guidance of lines, cables or similar, with a fist end (10) which may be fixed and a second end (11) which is displaceable; is disclosed. The line guidance unit (2) comprises a channel (12), embodied as segments (13). The segments are connected with at least one support strip (1). The line guidance unit comprises means which embody the line guidance unit (2) in an arc relative to a straight line joining the both ends (10, 11), in the extended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Wehler, Uwe Kemper
  • Patent number: 7650914
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for filament crimping. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a body and a filament crimp element. The filament crimp element comprises a first set of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a first set of features and a second set of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a second set of features. The first and second set cavities are substantially opposite one another. The first set of features are adapted to be placed at least partially within the second set of cavities and the second set of features are adapted to be placed at least partially within the first set of cavities. Methods and apparatus for the manufacture of the device are also disclosed. In addition, methods for automated placement and manufacture of assemblies using the crimp elements are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Autosplice, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bogursky, Leonid Foshansky, Craig Kennedy, Darryl Wood, Mark Saunders
  • Patent number: 7647803
    Abstract: A rotary forming apparatus of the type having a pair of central rotors, and one or more die carriers swingably mounted on the rotors, for repeatedly forming a sheet metal work piece moving along a linear path, rotor bearing supports for supporting the rotors at least at one end thereof, die carrier guides on the die carriers at an end thereof adjacent to the rotor bearing supports, and, at least two cam plates adjacent to each the rotor bearing support, for guiding the die carriers guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Patent number: 7647806
    Abstract: A drive for operating a movable part with respect to a fixed part includes: a driving member having a linear shape and being made of a shape-memory alloy; and a crimp terminal for holding one end of the driving member at the fixed part or the movable part. At least a part to which the driving member is crimped in the crimp terminal is made of stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Kosaka, Yoshie Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7644600
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum-assisted method and a device for forming an essentially flat blank (12) of metal into a thin-walled, shell-type body (14), especially for performing the method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, that has a supporting structure (16) forming a mold chamber (18) that holds the blank (12) during increasing deformation into the thin-walled, shell-body (14), a device (20) allocated to the supporting structure (16) for clamping the blank (12) about its circumference (22) to the supporting structure (16), that seals the reverse face (24) of the blank (12) facing towards the mold chamber (18) against the front face (26) of the blank (12) facing away from the mold chamber (18), and a device (28) allocated to the mold chamber (18) that also communicates with the mold chamber (18) for applying a vacuum and evacuating the mold chamber (18), and at least one forming tool (50) applied to the front face (26) of the blank (12) is/are allocated to the supporting structure (16), an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: MT Aerospace AG
    Inventors: Helmut Michel, Wulf Radtke, Johannes Hegels
  • Patent number: 7640781
    Abstract: A rescue device and a method of using same, for opening a jammed or stuck door of a vehicle, including a door having battle latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Ibis Tek, LLC
    Inventor: Scot Rose
  • Patent number: 7640775
    Abstract: A sheet of material formed for folding into a three-dimensional structure. The sheet has edges formed with joinder structures, such as dovetails, and a plurality of folding structures, such as slits, grooves or displacements, that control folding of the sheet in a manner causing the joinder structures to be folded into interlocking interengagement. The folding structures are configured for very precise folding of the sheet so that the folding structures will be in precise registered juxtaposition. Additionally, the sheet of material includes a retention structure, such as a retention fold or a retention deformation, which will prevent unfolding of the sheet. A method for fastener-free joining of sheet edges together also is disclosed, as are the resulting three-dimensional structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Origami, Inc.
    Inventor: Max W. Durney
  • Patent number: 7637135
    Abstract: A method for producing hollow profiles provided with different cross sections along the length thereof includes shaping the profiles in a die from one piece of cut metal sheet. According to said method, a convex or concave rounding produced on the edges of a longitudinal section results in material excess or material shortage in the transition regions, thereby preventing the material thinning or thickening in said transition regions during forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventors: Lothar Hömig, Uwe Kneiphoff, Thomas Flehmig
  • Patent number: 7631533
    Abstract: A method for the production of stamped part in a tool, particularly a fine cutting tool, by means of at least one stamp which is used to press the stamped part from a strip of material. According to the inventive method, the stamped part is moved from the material strip to a discharge element after it has been pressed from the material strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Feintool International Management AG
    Inventors: Willi Grimm, Shin Takhashi
  • Patent number: 7631530
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a aluminum pipe production method comprising an extrusion step for obtaining an aluminum raw pipe (10) and a drawing step for executing a drawing process of the aluminum raw pipe (10). Before executing the drawing step a slug removing step for removing aluminum slugs (1) adhering to a surface of the aluminum raw pipe (10) is executed by rubbing off the aluminum slugs (1). This can provide an aluminum pipe production method capable of preventing generation of defect protrusions while improving the productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Hamano, Takanori Kanayama, Masahiro Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7628052
    Abstract: A multi-functional crimping tool for connecting pipe joints with pipes is disclosed, the tool includes a pair of crimping head hinged together, form a circle cavity for penetrating the pipe, and at least a capped screw rotatably mounted onto a top side of the crimping head body and shifted from a fastening position and a releasing position; a pair of crimping jaws respectively and operatively clipped onto the crimping heads respectively, wherein in the fastening position, the capped screw is screwed down to secure the crimping jaws attach onto said crimping heads, and in the releasing position, the capped screw is loosened up allowing the crimping jaws transversely pulled off the crimping head for convenient replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Tianjin Runshi Science Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hanzhen Zhang
  • Patent number: 7628051
    Abstract: A stent crimping apparatus is provided which includes a crimping assembly adapted to crimp the stent, a clamp assembly configured to secure the medical device; and a control unit configured to control the movement of the crimp assembly. The clamp assembly includes a lower clamp device defining a seating groove formed and dimensioned to seat a portion of the medical device therein, and a retaining assembly having an elastomeric member. This elastomeric member defines a contacting groove oriented in an opposed manner proximate to at least a portion of the seating groove. The clamp assembly further includes an actuation mechanism associated with the retaining assembly and the lower clamp device such that operation thereof causes the retaining assembly to move between an opened condition and a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Arkady Kokish, David Lowe, Dan Shumer, Scott Baron
  • Patent number: 7624768
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for forming a wire to include coil segments useable in a dynamoelectric machine, the apparatus including a plurality of forming structures simultaneously moveable along an axis into a coil segment forming configuration, with at least a number of the plurality of forming structures being configured to hold a wire, and at least one actuating device associated with at least a number of the plurality of forming structures and configured to simultaneously move the number of the plurality of forming structures into the coil segment forming configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Remy International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk E. Neet, David M. Kroll
  • Patent number: 7624613
    Abstract: A terminal crimping machine includes a frame. An accommodating board is located on the frame and defines recesses unfolding symmetrically. The junction of the recesses defines an aperture running through the accommodating board. Drifts are slidably received in the recesses of the accommodating board respectively. Each of the drifts has a bar which protrudes rearward from a back surface of the drift. A propelled member rotationally configured at the back of the accommodating board defines cavities distributing symmetrically, and each cavity extends continually from outside to inner. The cavities slidably receive the bars of the drifts respectively. A driven mechanism, mounted on the frame, connects with the propelled member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gao-hua Yu, Wei Wang, Xue-jin Li
  • Patent number: 7621167
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of constructing a rotary device which as an outer hub and an inner hub disposed within the outer hub. One of the inner and outer hubs is rotatable with respect to the other one of the inner and outer hubs about an axis. A ribbon of material extends between opposite ends and is roll formed to achieve a desired profile of an inner and outer peripheral wall of the inner and outer hub, respectively. The roll formed ribbons of material are each secured to maintain the desired profile and achieve the respective peripheral wall. The inner peripheral wall is inserted inside the outer peripheral wall such that the outer peripheral wall surrounds the inner peripheral wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventor: Gilbert Staffend
  • Patent number: 7617711
    Abstract: In a wire rod mill, the last rolling block or unit, either a finishing unit or a postfinishing rolling unit, with common drive is not used for traction control, but traction control upstream thereof is provided to regulate the cross section of the wire rod strand before entry into the last stage. The product is a wire rod strand of low cross sectional tolerance and high uniformity over the length of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: SMS Meer GmbH
    Inventors: Ottmar Palzer, Lutz Kuemmel, Matthias Burkhardt
  • Patent number: 7617847
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a single strand wire with improved flexibility and a stranded cable from a single strand wire. In one embodiment, the flexible single strand wire has a solid, single strand wire body and at least one helical groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the wire body. The stranded cable includes a plurality of strands. In one embodiment, one of the strands has a planar surface that extends along a longitudinal axis of the cable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas M. Clerkin
  • Patent number: 7607330
    Abstract: Machine for drawing metal sheets, which comprises a static support (3) and a moving support (4) that hold a metal sheet (2) during a process of drawing said metal sheet (2), and driving means (5) that cause a longitudinal movement of said moving support (4) in relation to said static support (3) during said process, a section (S) of said metal sheet (2) comprised between said supports (3, 4) being drew and tensioned. Said machine (1) also comprises a third support (6) that remains static during the drawing process and which is disposed between the static support (3) and the moving support (4), and the driving means (5) cooperate with said third support (6) in order to move said moving support (4) longitudinally during said drawing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Fagor, S. Coop
    Inventors: Elixabete Casal, Unai Argarate, Oscar Gonzalez, Alvaro Martinez
  • Patent number: 7600408
    Abstract: A trolley (30) for use with a frame-straightening bench (10) and allowing for moving a vehicle into the bench (10) for initial repair; moving the vehicle out of the bench (10) and into holding area to allow for curing or other time-consuming repair processes or operations, thereby making the bench (10) available for other uses; and moving the vehicle back into the bench (10) for additional repair or final confirmation of a previous repair. A repair jig (140) is coupleable with the trolley (30) for facilitating the alignment and otherwise proper positioning of a portion of the vehicle being repaired. The trolley (30) can also be used with a lift (2072) to separate the vehicle's body from its frame (2010).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Chief Automotive Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Gregory Potter, Jeffery A. Hess, Jeffrey L. Dobbins, Richard Keefer, Richard H. Nagorski, Gregory Richards, Randy Gard