Patents by Inventor Dennis A. Alvarez

Dennis A. Alvarez 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).

  • Patent number: 4969346
    Abstract: A cold-forming method is disclosed for thinning localized, longitudinally extending portions of sheet metal by lateral shear deformation without any substantial longitudinal deformation. With such method, it is possible to produce elongated members which are thinned in zones of low stress and are thicker in zones of higher stress so as to provide high metal use efficiency. The method is performed by an apparatus including a rotating mandrel providing opposed conical surfaces and pressure rolls operable to apply forces substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the mandrel to cause a portion of the sheet metal to yield in shear to reduce the thickness of longitudinally extending portions of the sheet metal. The forces are applied in a plane normal to the length of the strip in order to avoid longitudinal elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Bosl, Patrick M. Kelly, Dennis A. Alvarez, Gale Sauer, Joseph A. Hocevar
  • Patent number: 4881355
    Abstract: A cold-forming method is disclosed for thinning localized, longitudinally extending portions of sheet metal by lateral shear deformation without any substantial longitudinal deformation. With such method, it is possible to produce elongated members which are thinned in zones of low stress and are thicker in zones of higher stress so as to provide high metal use efficiency. The method is performed by an apparatus including a rotating mandrel providing opposed conical surfaces and pressure rolls operable to apply forces substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the mandrel to cause a portion of the sheet metal to yield in shear to reduce the thickness of longitudinally extending portions of the sheet metal. The forces are applied in a plane normal to the length of the strip in order to avoid longitudinal elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Bosl, Patrick M. Kelly, Dennis A. Alvarez, Gale Sauer, Joseph A. Hocevar
  • Patent number: 4876837
    Abstract: A drywall corner bead providing a rounded nose and two mounting flanges extending from opposite sides of the nose is formed from a strip of galvanized metal of uniform thickness. The two flanges are provided with three discrete longitudinally extending bands of reduced thickness formed by shear deformation of the material forming the band. The flanges are knurled to emboss the surface thereof and openings are formed in the flanges at intervals along their length. The corner bead is formed by a method in which shear deforming forces are progressively applied to the material forming the thinned bands to produce lateral deformation of such material without any appreciable lengthwise deformation. After the thinned bands are formed, forces are applied to straighten the corner bead. Subsequently, the flanges are knurled to provide an embossed surface and holes are punched in the flanges at intervals along their length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Kelly, Robert E. Howlett, Paul A. Pomeroy, Dennis A. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 4770018
    Abstract: A cold-forming method is disclosed for thinning localized, longitudinally extending portions of sheet metal by lateral shear deformation without any substantial longitudinal deformation. With such method, it is possible to produce elongated members which are thinned in zones of low stress and are thicker in zones of higher stress so as to provide high metal use efficiency. The method is performed by an apparatus including a rotating mandrel providing opposed conical surfaces and pressure rolls operable to apply forces substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the mandrel to cause a portion of the sheet metal to yield in shear to reduce the thickness of longitudinally extending portions of the sheet metal. The forces are applied in a plane normal to the length of the strip in order to avoid longitudinal elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Donn Incorporated
    Inventors: George F. Bosl, Patrick M. Kelly, Dennis A. Alvarez, Gale Sauer, Joseph A. Hocevar