Patents by Inventor Bob R. Bishop

Bob R. Bishop has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and apparatus for automated processing and handling of welded sheet metal blanks
    Patent number: 5724712
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically welding and handling welded tailored blank composites. The method comprises the steps of transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks to an assembly table of a welding machine. The sheet components are disposed in a butt joint or an overlapping lap joint configuration and the blanks are welded together along a weld seam thus defining a welded blank. The welded blank is conveyed in a timed step manner from the welding machine to an output stacking machine via a magnetic stepping conveyor and the blank is transferred from the conveyor to an output stack of completed blanks with a stacking machine. An apparatus is provided to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Bob R. Bishop
  • Method and apparatus for automated processing and handling of mash weldedsheet metal blanks
    Patent number: 5634255
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically welding and handling mash welded tailored blank composites. The method comprises the steps of transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks to an assembly table of a mash welding machine. The sheet components are disposed in an overlapping lap joint configuration and the lap joint is welded along a linear weld seam thus defining a welded blank. The welded blank is conveyed in a timed step manner from the welding machine to an output stacking machine via a magnetic stepping conveyor and the blank is transferred from the conveyor to an output stack of completed blanks with a stacking machine. An apparatus is provided to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Bob R. Bishop