Patents by Inventor Gerald Erker

Gerald Erker 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: 9205479
    Abstract: A triangular hemming and stamping apparatus includes a stationary base that mounts a lower die set. Three guide posts are triangularly positioned on the base and extend generally vertically from the base. An upper fixed superstructure is supported by the three guide posts and fixedly spaced from the base. An upper slidable structural member that mounts an upper die set is slidably mounted on the guide posts between the base and the superstructure. An actuator is mounted on the superstructure and connected to the upper slidable structural member within an area within the guide posts. The actuator is not connected to nor associated with the guide posts, and the actuator is operable to move the upper slidable structural member toward and away from the base to perform hemming and stamping on a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Hirotec America, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Erker
  • Publication number: 20140352392
    Abstract: A triangular hemming and stamping apparatus includes a stationary base that mounts a lower die set. Three guide posts are triangularly positioned on the base and extend generally vertically from the base. An upper fixed superstructure is supported by the three guide posts and fixedly spaced from the base. An upper slidable structural member that mounts an upper die set is slidably mounted on the guide posts between the base and the superstructure. An actuator is mounted on the superstructure and connected to the upper slidable structural member within an area within the guide posts. The actuator is not connected to nor associated with the guide posts, and the actuator is operable to move the upper slidable structural member toward and away from the base to perform hemming and stamping on a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: HIROTEC AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Gerald Erker
  • Publication number: 20090235712
    Abstract: A roller hemming apparatus includes a linear actuator mountable on an end of a multi-axis robotic arm. The linear actuator includes a connector. A roller hemming head is mounted on the linear actuator by the connector. The roller hemming head includes at least one hem roller. The roller hemming head performs both push force and pull force roller hemming operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: HIROTEC AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ranganathan Padmanabhan, Gerald Erker, Brian Hopkins